Submitted Photo Gowanda High School Spanish Teacher Barbara Dempsey, right, is set to retire from the district at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Dempsey is pictured with William Schindler, left, who retired last year.

GOWANDA — Three longtime employees of the Gowanda Central School District have added their names to the list of retirees at year’s end. Barbara Dempsey, Beth Roblee, and Therese Reeves are set to retire later this year.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson defined the three retirees as “exceptional employees who will be greatly missed.” He joked that he wanted to throw the retirement resignations away because he did not want them to leave.

Dempsey, a Spanish Teacher, said in her letter of resignation, “It has been an honor to work with Dr. Anderson and our outstanding Board of Education, and I thank you for your unwavering dedication to our students. I am grateful for the opportunities to serve this district and for the support extended to me throughout my career.”

Dempsey commended High School Principal Rebekah Newell for her leadership of the high school, especially through the pandemic. Dempsey also characterized the departure of Assistant Principal David Smith, who is set to retire from the district at the end of the year, as a loss that will be “deeply felt.”

Roblee, a Mathematics Teacher, and Reeves, a School Psychologist, will also retire after the 2025-2026 school year concludes.

“It has been a privilege to serve the students, families, and staff of this district over the past 31 years. Supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional growth has been deeply meaningful work, and I am grateful for the trust placed in me by colleagues, administrators, and the school community,” Reeves said in her letter of resignation. She characterized Gowanda as “a caring and committed district”

While Dempsey, Roblee, and Reeves are on their way out, another Gowanda employee will be sticking around on a more permanent basis. Emily Mongillo, Speech Language Pathologist, was granted tenure at the recent Board meeting.

Mongillo was recommended for tenure by Elementary Principal Chelsea Kroll. In her letter of recommendation, Kroll stated, “Ms. Mongillo establishes strong, positive relationships with students, staff, and families. She creates a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and developing their communication skills. Her therapy sessions are well-planned, engaging, and tailored to meet individual student goals, reflecting a deep understanding of evidence-based practices in speech and language development.”

Kroll also credited Mongillo for working collaboratively with her peers, while being receptive to feedback, reflecting upon her practices, and working toward professional growth. Kroll stated, “I am confident that she

will continue to be an asset to our district and positively impact students and families for

years to come.”

Mongillo was initially appointed to the role of Speech Language Pathologist on Dec. 21, 2022. She began her time at Gowanda on Jan. 23, 2023. After a three-year probationary period, her tenured status of employment took effect Jan. 22, 2026.

The Board also approved a series of memorandum of agreements pertaining to compensation for several positions, including the Registrar, Information Technology Specialist, Head Custodian, and Dean of Students.

Wendy Luce was granted a leave of absence from the role of School Social Worker to serve as Dean of Students at Gowanda Middle School. Additionally, Amanda Miller was appointed as a Temporary Cook, retroactive to Jan. 19, through the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Michelle Renowden was appointed as a Cleaner, effective Feb. 23.

Emily Pound was appointed as a Substitute Teacher, Substitute Teaching Assistant and Substitute School Monitor. Chase Bolen was appointed as a Substitute Teacher and Substitute Teaching Assistant. Brody Mescall was appointed as a Substitute Cleaner and Substitute Custodian. Lea Golden was appointed as Seamstress and Kim Nobles was appointed as Head of Construction for extracurricular activities.

Donations of $300 from the Gowanda Boosters for the Class of 2030 and of $400 from the Sportsman Federation for the Gowanda Trap Team were also accepted by the Board.

Dr. Anderson also provided an update on what he called the “never ending saga” that is the pool repair project. The work is proceeding on schedule, with the pool wall repairs underway.

The Board of Education held a budget workshop last month. The next regular meeting of the Board, March 11, will likely have additional information regarding the 2026-27 school budget.