Submitted Photo Gowanda Middle School Principal Todd Miklas will retire from the district, effective Sept. 1.

GOWANDA — Gowanda Middle School will have a new leader next year. Todd Miklas has submitted his resignation for the purpose of retirement to the district, effective Sept. 1.

In his letter of resignation, Miklas said, “I am deeply grateful for my time in Gowanda as the Middle School Principal and feel well accomplished in doing amazing things for our students.”

Miklas, a Lake Shore Central School graduate of 1987, took on the role of Gowanda Middle School Principal in 2017. Miklas is committed to “finishing strong” in his final months on the job.

“I want to congratulate Todd for all his hard work and service to our district for so many years,” said Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson. “It’s been a pleasure working with him.”

In addition to accepting Miklas’ letter of resignation, the Board of Education also appointed Emma Luther, a Gowanda graduate, as a substitute Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and School Monitor; Kailyn Farmer as a substitute Teacher and Teaching Assistant; and Anthony Puntillo Jr. as a seasonal laborer in the Technology Department.

The Board also appointed Jaime Farner and Hayley Wilkins as the Adult/Community Education Co-Directors for the 2024-2025 school year at the rate of $30 per hour, per person, effective April 30.

Haley Foster resigned from the role of Teacher Aide as of April 10. The appointment of John Clear as a substitute Cleaner/Custodian was rescinded.

Jacob Davis will take over as the head coach of the Varsity Lacrosse program, in place of Justin Gill. Davis’ previous role as an assistant will be filled by Preston Lay.

A memorandum of agreement between the district and the Gowanda Teaching Association was approved to add a salaried Assistant Junior Varsity Lacrosse coaching position. The district also accepted a donation on behalf of the Gowanda Lacrosse Program in the amount of $837.

The district is electing not to pursue transportation arrangements for district students to attend Northern Chautauqua Catholic School (NCCS) in Dunkirk, as requested by parents. In order to make accommodations, the district would need to disregard or revise its policy of a 15-mile radius from the residence of students to the school in question. The district was advised by legal counsel to not make an exception for the students at NCCS.

At its recent meeting, the Board of Education also cast votes for Ronald Catalano, Kathleen Chiavetta, Dwight Eagan, Linda Hoffman, and Anita Ray to serve on the Erie II BOCES Board. Gowanda also approved the BOCES administrative budget in the amount of $4,036,957.

The next meeting of the Gowanda Board of Education is scheduled for Wednesday, which includes a public hearing regarding the 2025-2026 school budget.