OBSERVER Photo by M.J. Stafford Superintendent Brian Swatland, right, and Dunkirk Board of Education members are pictured at the board’s December meeting held at School 7.

The Dunkirk City School District made arrangements to end employment of several employees at the Dunkirk Board of Education’s December meeting.

The board terminated School 5 teacher aide Jessica Santiago, effective Dec. 19, and rescinded the appointment of Tina Novelli as a special education after-school program teacher.

It also accepted the resignation of Emilee Hanlon as junior varsity softball coach. Hanlon, a multi-sport star for Dunkirk a few years ago, was appointed to the position in September. Lillian Pacos also resigned as assistant varsity indoor track coach.

Nine workers had their retirements accepted for 2026 or 2027. They are typists Laurie Barberich and Penny Kalfas, teacher aides Mary Ann Boris and Diana Piglowski, library aide Connie Glasier, School 3 working supervisor Mark Meder, building maintenance mechanic John Hollins, account clerk Julie Greene, and cleaner Patti Marquardt.

The board meeting was held at School 7. The Board of Education has decided to move its meetings around the district for the start of the 2025-26 school year. Schools 3, 4 and 5 have also hosted meetings this school year.

There were presentations on district teachers’ Reading League conference in Chicago where they learned from experts in literacy; School 7’s sensory space and calming corner for kids who need a “time out”; and an introduction of a draft for a long-range special education plan for the district.

The Students of the Month presentation ended with the customary mass exodus of kids and parents unwilling to sit around for the rest of the meeting, especially on a school night.

The meeting began with an approximately hour-long executive session, closed to the public. Board President Kenneth Kozlowski usually assures that no action was taken in such sessions – but this time, he said an action was taken.

Superintendent Brian Swatland said a district employee was disciplined, in an email to the OBSERVER.

The superintendent stated that “the Board of Education properly convened in executive session to discuss several topics, one of which was to consider the potential discipline of a district employee. While in executive session, the board took action as is legally permissible pursuant to education law. Since the board’s deliberations in executive session are privileged and confidential, and this is a personnel matter, the district has no further comment at this time.”