Photo via screenshot Jennifer Gernatt was appointed as a member of the Gowanda Board of Education at its recent meeting. Pictured from left to right: Jennifer Gernatt, Board Member; Kathy Ferneza, District Clerk; Barb Smith, Business Administrator; Dr. Robert Anderson, Superintendent; and Max Graham, Board President.

GOWANDA — The Gowanda Board of Education has been made whole again.

At its recent meeting, the Board approved the appointment of Jennifer Gernatt as its newest Board of Education member. Gernatt replaced Shauna McMahon, who resigned from her seat to focus on her new role as Forestville Elementary School Principal and to spend more time with her family.

Gernatt previously served on the Gowanda Board of Education, and multiple current members were happy to see her return. Board member John Waterman, Jr., joked of her “triumphant return” to the Board. “It’s appreciated, and I look forward to working with her in the future,” he said.

“I’m very excited to see (Gernatt) back again. We had some good times and worked well together previously,” added Board member Barbara Weston.

Also at the recent meeting, Courtney Aldrich, High School Physical Education Teacher, was granted tenure. The recommendation for her tenure approval was made by High School Principal Rebekah Moraites.

“Ms. Aldrich has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring that the Gowanda CSD has a strong PE program,” Moraites said in her recommendation. “Ms. Aldrich is in her second year as a Department Leader for the K-12 Physical Education team. She has established a collaborative relationship with her High School co-teacher and has brought energy and enthusiasm to the HS PE program. She has a vast knowledge of current trends in fitness and wellness as well as adaptive physical education. As department leader, she has worked to establish a new PE Plan for NYS that is aligned with state standards. She is an advocate for health and wellness and always seeks to make this a priority.”

Additionally, the Board approved several appointments. Crystal Dean was appointed as a School Monitor and Substitute Food Service Helper. Breven Nowakowski was named a Substitute Teacher, Substitute Teaching Assistant, Substitute Teacher Aide and Substitute School Monitor. Malarie Carroll, Hailey Fisher, and Heath Garlow were each appointed as a Substitute Teacher, Substitute Teaching Assistant, and Substitute School Monitor. Kailyn Farner was appointed as a Substitute Cleaner and Substitute Custodian; Rebecca Tonello was appointed as a Substitute Cleaner; and Ronnee Emerson was named a Substitute Food Service Helper.

Terri Reeves, School Psychologist, was named a Teacher Mentor for the 2023-24 school year, as needed. Justin Fish was approved as a volunteer for the Gowanda Wrestling Team, while Nate Brawdy was approved as a Boys Basketball Team volunteer assistant.

Also of note, four donations from local businesses were accepted by the district to assist in the purchase of State Championship rings for the Gowanda Panthers softball team. Designer Pools and Seneca Store Sales each donated $1,500, while Honk’s Grape and Grain donated $225 and McCormack’s Hardware donated $100. Additionally, the parents of the Gowanda-Pine Valley Panthers football team donated $1,260 to be used to fund an end of year banquet dinner.

The next Board of Education meeting is Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Gowanda High School.