Gowanda gets good news in audit report | News, sports, jobs

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen The Gowanda Central School District received an unchanged opinion on its financial statements during the district’s external audit.

GOWANDA – The Gowanda Central School District received an unchanged opinion on its financial statements during the district’s external audit, which business administrator Barb Smith cited “the best opinion we can get.”

The district accepted the external audit and management letter from Drescher and Malecki LLP for the period ending June 30, 2024. The only comment against the district was regarding the substantial fund balance, which the district intentionally built up beginning in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. year.

Later at the recent Board of Education meeting, the Board approved an amendment to Smith’s contract to include a $3,500 longevity payment.

In other business, the Board of Education approved the probationary appointment of Matthew Kordrupel as technology coordinator, at a salary of $82,000, with a 3% increase each year of the contract.

In addition, a new contract was approved by the Board of Education for Ashley Wakelee to continue serving the district as Director of Learning and Continual Improvement, from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2029. Wakelee will receive a base salary of $123,885 in 2025, with an increase of 3% per contract year.

Valerie Bentley was appointed permanently as administrative secretary. Cheri Burke was appointed permanent head custodian.

Breven McMahon was appointed interim employee as Keyboard Specialist II, as well as the district’s Central Treasurer of Student Activity Accounts for the 2024-2025 school year.

Jalisa Gonzalez was named Modified Softball Head Coach and Kevin Stapleton was named Junior Varsity Boys Basketball Head Coach. Benjamin Miller and Amelia Gleyzer were approved as student teachers. The appointment of Aaron North, who works in the Healthy Kids Program for the 2024-2025 school year, was also approved.

Susan Weyand was appointed as a replacement keyboard specialist; Amanda Miller and Briar Beckman were each appointed as deputy cleaner and deputy custodian; and Patrick Nixon was appointed deputy custodian. Cheyenne Shaw was appointed teacher’s assistant, while Brandi Clabeaux was appointed school monitor in the Food Service department on a probationary basis. Indya Lauer was appointed as a substitute teacher, deputy teaching assistant and deputy school monitor. Sophia Genovese was appointed deputy food aid helper and deputy school monitor.

Robbie Riehle has resigned as school monitor effective today. Michelle Lulas submitted her resignation as a teaching assistant at the end of November 5. Chief Inspector Dr. Robert Anderson called Riehle and Lulas “Two truly outstanding long-term employees.”

Amy VanNote and Lisa Huffman each resigned as substitute teacher and substitute teaching assistant; Rachel LePre resigned as a teaching assistant; Robert Hummel resigned as a bus driver; Heather Golembiewski resigned as school monitor; and Brandi Irudayaraj resigned as freshman advisor.

Anderson noticed that too “lots of progress” has been accomplished with the district’s pool repair project, while playground equipment has recently been installed with the hope of opening in late October. Additionally, a capital project for Gowanda Central Schools is included in the district’s 2024-2025 budget. The bulk of the work, up to $100,000, will focus on removing interior stair treads and installing carpeting in secondary schools.

An additional $600 per day student transportation contract for transportation to Jamestown was also approved by the Board of Education.

The next meeting of the Gowanda Board of Education is Wednesday, November 13.