Photo via screenshot The Gowanda Board of Education approved two class trips at a recent meeting.

GOWANDA — Following a pair of presentations, the Gowanda Board of Education approved two different field trip requests to the state of Ohio at the latest Board meeting.

On Dec. 22, the boys varsity basketball team will travel to Cleveland to participate in a tour of the facilities of the Cleveland Cavaliers professional basketball team. While they are there, the team will play a game against the Pine Valley Panthers on the professional court in the arena. Pine Valley and Gowanda were in contact with a representative from the Cavaliers to plan a day for the two teams to meet up together to share the experience on the court.

The Gowanda basketball team will stay for the game that night as the Cavaliers host the Charlotte Hornets at 7 p.m.. Gowanda will return home following the game, likely arriving back in Gowanda around 1 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23.

he cost of the trip, including tickets to the Cavaliers game, ranges from $2,200 to $7,200. Fundraising opportunities are available to help cover the cost.

Later in the year, the eighth grade class trip will feature several stops across Ohio on Friday, June 5. The students will travel by coach bus to visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History; stop at Margaritaville restaurant for lunch; and continue on to visit Cedar Point amusement park. The cost is estimated at approximately $250 per student. Fundraising opportunities are available to help cover the cost for that trip, as well.

The Board of Education approved both trips upon adopting the consent agenda at its recent meeting.

Five resignations were also accepted by the Board, but two of the five were because of employees accepting different positions within the district. Edward Songin resigned as a substitute cleaner and substitute custodian for the purpose of retirement. Shelby DeSantis resigned from her role as a construction assistant with the school musical. Michelle York resigned from her food service role as a cook. Kimberly Hughes replaced York as a cook, resigning her role as a food service helper to do so. Finally, Janet Parks resigned from the role of keyboard specialist to transition to a food service helper position. Parks will remain as a substitute keyboard specialist.

Tracy Himes was appointed to the open Keyboard Specialist I position to replace Parks. Brittany Ratka was appointed as a substitute food service helper/school monitor. Adam Beiter and Jillian Gernatt were each appointed as substitutes for the roles of teacher, teaching assistant, and school monitor. Cindy Freer was appointed as a substitute cleaner and custodian.

Edmund John was appointed as a junior varsity girls basketball coach. Noah Steinbroner was approved as a student teacher. Isabella Mynatt was approved to be hired as a teaching assistant at Gowanda Elementary School through the Healthy Kids Program for the 2025-2026 school year.

A transportation contract with WNY Bus Co. to Rossler Ave. in Kenmore was approved in the amount of $687 per day through the 2025-2026 school year. Memorandums of Agreement between the district and its Teachers’ Association and Professional Support Staff Association were also approved by the Board. An agreement with Jamestown Community College regarding the College Connections program was approved, as well, to allow college credit programming to run through 2030.

Election officers for the upcoming Capital Project vote were approved for Dec. 9 at a rate of $175, including Sarah Allen, Lisa Huffman, Mary Jones, Carol Nephew, Nancy Palmer, and Susan Edler, who will serve as Chief Election Inspector.

A series of donations were accepted by the district, including $300 from K&L Lanes, Inc. to benefit the Gowanda Trap Team; classroom items totaling $229.73 from Donors Choose for Gowanda Middle School; and a total of $1,100 from the Gowanda Boosters Club to benefit the Gowanda Trap Team and each of the four classes of Gowanda High School.

The next regular Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, a day after the Capital Project vote.