OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Shannon Matson, Silver Creek Elementary School Assistant Principal, resigned from her role to take a newly created position at the District as Director of Positive Interventions and Family Connectedness.

SILVER CREEK — The Silver Creek Central School District took another step toward making students and their families feel at home within the District with the creation of a new position. It did not take long to find the right person for the job.

Shannon Matson was selected as the newly created role of Director of Positive Interventions and Family Connectedness at the Silver Creek Central School District. Matson resigned from her role as Silver Creek Elementary School Assistant Principal to accept the position.

“I am honored and overjoyed to receive the position, and I can’t wait to get started,” Matson said.

Matson possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Buffalo State College, along with an additional Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from the University at Buffalo. Matson is a certified New York State School Building Leader and holds professional teaching certifications in Early Childhood Education Birth-Grade 2 and Childhood Education Grades 1-6.

“This is an exciting new position for us, and I think there is no Shannon is the right person for the position,” said Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston.

Matson previously worked as an Elementary Teacher for 13 years at the District prior to her appointment as Assistant Principal. Matson is in her second year as Assistant Principal of Silver Creek Elementary School. She will remain in her role as Assistant Principal through the current school year, while her new role set to commence a four-year probationary appointment on July 1. Her salary for the 2024-2025 school year will be $90,000.

Ralston added, “Her interview was outstanding. The effort she put into the video, the letters and the communication was excellent.”

Additionally, the District appointed five long-term substitute teachers at its recent Board of Education meeting: Heath Garlow, Evelyn Smith, Taylor Potter, Christopher Fagan, and Mia Cardonick. The District also appointed Ashley Cullinan as a bus driver and Denine Vara as a bus attendant. Carly Swensen-Liebenow was appointed as the High School AIS Coordinator.

The District also announced four coaching appointments for the spring sports season. Jon Pulver was named head coach of the junior varsity baseball team; Matt Miller was appointed as head coach of the modified baseball team; David Rojas was named head coach of the modified boys track team; and Janet Decker was selected as head coach of the modified girls track team. Christina Williams will be a volunteer assistant with the junior varsity softball team.

Robert Carpenter, Sylvester Cleary, Nancy Renckens and Gregory Cole were selected as the District’s nominees for three-year terms as Erie 2 BOCES Board members.

The annual budget vote for the 2024-25 School Budget will be on Tuesday, May 21, from 1 until 9 p.m. in the high school lobby.