Silver Creek hires new Special Education Teacher

SILVER CREEK -- Katie Ralston's response to a comment at a recent Board of Education meeting put her philosophy as a leader on full display.

First-year teacher Abigail Buffum said following her appointment as a member of the district, "Thank you for trusting me as a first-year teacher."

Ralston was touched, and after an audible reaction, she said, "We all started there."

Silver Creek was the first school that Ralston interviewed with to become a superintendent. Since she got the job, she has consistently hired applicants who had little to no experience in the role they applied for prior to coming to Silver Creek. Instead of prior qualifications, Ralston looks for the person she believes in to do the job and fit in with the culture she has set at Silver Creek.

Buffum is the latest to benefit from Ralston's philosophy. She was the district's choice as its new Special Education Teacher, and the Board of Education accepted her appointment at its latest meeting. Buffum told the Board of Education that she is excited to be joining the district, and Ralston said she is excited to see what Buffum will add to the district's yearly highlights at the end of year meeting a year from now.

Buffum holds Initial Certification in Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6), Childhood Education (Grades 1-6), Students with Disabilities (Grades 7-12 – Generalist), and English Language Arts (Grades 7-12). Her appointment to the tenure area of Education of Children with Handicapping Conditions - General Special Education begins on Sept. 1 and carries a standard four-year probationary period. Under the terms of the new agreement between the district and the Silver Creek Teachers' Association, Buffum will receive a salary of $43,600 at Step A of the teacher salary schedule.

The Board also approved Amanda Ippolito and Scott Johnson as non-certified substitute teachers and Samantha Cates, a recently hired High School Science teacher, as a permanent daily substitute teacher.

Savannah Delmonte resigned from the role of Elementary Teacher Aide. Adam Lukasik resigned as a Bus Driver.

Budget transfers and appropriation of funds were approved by the Board, along with the declaration of excess equipment and the revision and approval of the 2026-27 school calendar. 2026 Summer School appointments were also finalized and approved, including the Summer Transportation staff.