Gowanda re-elects Graham as School Board President
Trending
GOWANDA -- Max Graham will remain as the President of the Gowanda Board of Education. His fellow Board members did not leave the door open for any alternative, as he was nominated and elected by a vote of 6-0.
At his side will be John Waterman, who was elected as Vice President. Like Graham, Waterman was the only nominee for the role and was elected by a vote of 6-0.
The Board appointed three new Student Board Members for the 2026-27 school year: Jayden Fish, McKoy Luce, and Jenna Luther. They will fill the roles previously held by Class of 2026 graduates Makayla Kraft and Isabelle Graham, Max Graham's daughter.
Kathy Ferneza, Secretary to the Superintendent, was re-appointed as District Clerk for the 2026-27 school year, with Business Administrator Barb Smith serving as Deputy Clerk.
The Board also finalized its committee assignments for the 2026-27 school year. The district's 2026-27 Code of Conduct was also approved.
While Graham brings familiarity to the district as Board President, there are plenty of Panthers moving on from the district. Among the resignations accepted by the Board at its recent meeting were Erika Austin, a Foreign Language Teacher; Ashley Bull, an Elementary Teacher; Eve Bierl, an Elementary Teacher; and Kristen Pagett, a School Nurse.
Austin expressed gratitude for the past decade she spent at Gowanda Schools. She said in her letter of resignation, "It has truly been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside such dedicated colleagues, supportive administrators, and the wonderful students and families of this strong community. The experiences, relationships, and memories I have gained during my time here will always hold a special place in my heart."
Bull, a First Grade Teacher, spent 16 years at Gowanda Schools. She called her time at Gowanda "one of the greatest privileges of my professional life." Her decision to resign was influenced by a desire to focus more time and energy on her family.
Bierl, an Elementary Special Education Teacher, resigned from Gowanda to accept a position in her home district in Eden. She added in her letter of resignation that "leaving Gowanda is not an easy decision because of the incredible people I have had the privilege of working with throughout my time here."
Pagett spent the past four years as a School Nurse at Gowanda. Michelle Gilson will fill the vacancy in the district's nursing department this fall. Additionally, Gisselle Acevedo Santiago resigned as a Bus Driver to instead accept a substitute Bus Driver position.
The next regular Gowanda Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the High School Library.