With the approval of the Board of Education, new contracts were awarded to Deputy Wes Johnson, the District’s School Resource Officer, and Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston, who received an extension a night before her first graduating class received their diplomas.

Silver Creek reaffirmed its commitment to providing a School Resource Officer to its campus with the approval of an agreement between the District and the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office through next school year. The Board of Education approved a one-year agreement, beginning July 1, at a cost of $114,584.81 to the District.

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“I think there is a difference between having a police presence in a school or having a person who is invested in what the community is and who is in the community,” Ralston said. “That is Deputy Johnson. You see him fist-bumping kids, he’s at the entrance every single morning, he’s walking through the hallways with kids. He is just a staple of Silver Creek.”

Submitted Photo School Resource Officer Wes Johnson has been with the Silver Creek Central School District for the past seven years. The District reaffirmed its commitment to providing a School Resource Officer to its campus with a one-year contract with the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office.

Johnson has served the District for the past seven years alongside his wife, Jen, who is a School Nurse. Together, they co-coach the Silver Creek-Forestville Unified Basketball Team.

“We are really fortunate to have that in an SRO. He’s not just here to be the police presence, he’s here to contribute to the District,” Ralston said of his commitment to the students and staff. “… He’s right there with everybody, every step of the way.”

Ralston will also be there every step of the way for even longer than her initial contract stipulated. Ralston’s contract was extended five years on top of the existing terms of the deal, through June 30, 2030.

The amendment to Ralston’s contract is the second of its kind since her initial appointment on May 18, 2023. Her employment officially commenced July 1, 2023, with the first amendment to the contract dated Jan. 11, 2024.

“It’s been incredible,” Ralston said of her time so far at Silver Creek. “I knew when I interviewed here, this was the place I wanted to be, and it just kept getting better.”

Ralston also gave a presentation of the highlights of the year in the District at the meeting, just minutes before her contract was amended. After the meeting, she said, “I can’t believe the year ended, but we made it. I’m really excited, now having had a year, with what the summer looks like and what we’re ready to do next year moving the District in a positive direction.”

Also at the recent meeting, Bus Driver Jim Castiglia was granted permanent status after a successful probationary period of employment. The District also accepted the resignations of Substitute Bus Driver Karen Smith and Summer Cleaner Frank Bonasera. Kenneth Bolton will be a Summer Cleaner at his current employment rate. Summer School positions were also finalized with Board approval.

The District also selected its Academic Intervention Services (AIS) Coordinators for the Middle and High School levels for the 2024-2025 school year. Bridget Hojnacki was selected at the High School level, while Amy Bartell and Mary Burr will share the duties at the Middle School level. Kevin Rice will continue as the District’s Dean of Students at the High School level, while Chris Prevet will have the same role at the Middle School level.

Extracurricular program advisors for the 2024-2025 school year across all three levels of the District were also approved by the Board. Department Chairs were also finalized, as well as the approved tutors for the upcoming year.

A contract extension with Personal Touch Food Services to supply meals for the 2024-2025 school year was also approved. The per meal cost for breakfast is $2.47 and for lunch is $3.60, at an increase in line with the maximum increase limit of 3.5% set by New York State.

The District also finalized an agreement with Buffamante Whipple Buttafaro, P.C., Certified Public Accountants to conduct an audit of the District’s finances through June 30, 2024.