Submitted Photo Students in grades 7-8 enrolled in the District’s Nutrition and Health Science class prepared dishes to be presented to the Board of Education and administrators at a recent Board meeting. Pictured is teacher Michael O’Rourke, middle right, along with Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson, middle left, and two Gowanda students.

GOWANDA — Two more cherished teachers of the Gowanda Central School District are saying goodbye at year’s end. Amy Miller and Kimberly Steklasa both will retire from Gowanda Elementary School on June 30.

Miller, an Elementary Reading Teacher, said she is leaving the District with “mixed emotions.” She does not intend to work elsewhere, in line with her mindset throughout her entire tenure at Gowanda Elementary School from the time her career began.

Just like Miller, Steklasa, an Elementary Teacher in grades 3-4, said she is leaving the District with “mixed emotions.” A former Gowanda student from kindergarten on through graduation, Steklasa returned home to teach at her alma mater more than three decades ago. She spent 32 years as an Elementary School Teacher in Gowanda.

“I look forward to the future and the changes that it will bring. However, I will greatly miss all of my friends and coworkers that have been part of my life for many years,” Steklasa said in her letter of resignation. She later added, “it is safe to say that I will be leaving a piece of my heart behind in Gowanda.”

Before Miller and Steklasa officially retire, Gowanda Elementary School has said goodbye to another member of the District. Laura Main, School Social Worker, has resigned from the District, effective April 10.

Main referred to the commute as her “only reason” from resigning from the District. She stated this past winter “forced me to realize it is not the safest choice long-term for my family.”

In saying goodbye, Main spoke fondly of her time at Gowanda. Main said, “I appreciate all of the teaching professionals I’ve gotten to know in the last year, and will greatly miss the students.” She also thanked Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson, Elementary School Principal Carrie Dzierba, and Special Education Director Janine Jalal for the opportunity to serve the District.

Other recent resignations from the District include Joseph Parisio, Cleaner; and Melissa Schlegel, School Monitor, Substitute Food Service Helper, and Substitute Cleaner/Custodian.

Despite the recent and impending departures, the District added a wave of new employees to the Panther family. Alyssa Schmidt was appointed as a Seneca Language Teacher by the Seneca Nation of Indians, while Sarah Pangborn was appointed as a Teacher through the Johnson O’Malley Program.

Zachary Cervola and Jonathan Gill were each appointed as substitutes for the roles of Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and School Monitor. Additional appointments include Kelsey Galley, Food Service Helper; Susan Carr, School Monitor and substitute Food Service Helper; Madison Boggs, substitute Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and School Monitor; Phillip Mason, substitute Cleaner and Custodian; John Clear, substitute Cleaner and Custodian; and Samuel Mongillo, Seasonal Laborer.

The Board also appointed several coaches to Appendix C positions, including Megan Stang, Keira Thompson, Zoelle Nephew, Ryan John, and Ross Olszewski. Jonathan Gill, Bryan (Lucas) Brawdy, and Zoey Kota were appointed as volunteer coaches.

Thirteen volunteers were also approved by the District for various roles, including Alan Alvarez-Gorgonio, Leah Dylag, Justin Fish, Riley Grainger, Anmarie Kaczor, Hermon Kidane, David Laskey, Liam Ortiz, Kaillin Owen, Mia Sorgi, Devon Thayer, Megan Wilson, and Isaiah Welch.

The District also recently received several notable donations. The Gowanda Varsity Baseball Team received a donation of $1,600 from Capozzi’s Pizzeria. The American Legion donated $1,000 to the Gowanda Trap Team. The Gowanda Football Team received a $1,000 donation from the Buffalo Bills Foundation. The Gowanda Wrestling Team received a $500 donation from the Gowanda Sports Boosters Club. The Gowanda Boys Lacrosse team received a donation from the Seneca Nation of Indians in the amount of $380. The Gowanda Boosters also donated two portable pickleball nets and 12 paddles for community use.

The District also established the Stars and Stripes of America Scholarship, offered by the American Legion in the amount of $2,500 each for two students. A transportation contract pertaining to Randolph Academy amounting to $684 per day was also approved by the Board.

The latest meeting of the Board of Education also featured a presentation from the District’s Nutrition and Health Science class. Students in grades 7-8 prepared dishes under the direction of teacher Michael O’Rourke to be presented to the Board and administrators.

The Gowanda Board of Education meets next on Tuesday, April 29.