Gowanda receives good news in audit report | News, sports, work

OBSERVER Photo. Braden Carmen Gowanda Central School District received an unmodified opinion on its financial statements as a result of the District’s external audit.

GOWANDA — The Gowanda Central School District has received an unmodified opinion on its financial statements following the District’s external audit, which was called by Business Administrator Barb Smith “the best opinion we can get.”

The District accepted an external audit and management letter from Drescher and Malecki LLP for the period ending June 30, 2024. The only comment against the District concerned the significant fund balance that the District had intentionally built up beginning in the 2019-2020 fiscal year. year.

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

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

Additionally, the Board of Education approved a new contract for Ashley Wakelee to continue serving as the district’s director of learning and continuous improvement from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Wakelee will receive a base salary of $123,885 in 2025 . with a 3% increase in each year of the contract.

Valerie Bentley has been permanently appointed administrative secretary. Cheri Burke has been permanently named chief curator.

Breven McMahon has been named interim Keyboard Specialist II as well as the district’s Central Treasurer for Student Activities Accounts for the 2024-2025 school year.

Jalisa Gonzalez was named modified head softball coach and Kevin Stapleton was named junior varsity boys basketball head coach. Benjamin Miller and Amelia Gleyzer were approved as future teachers. The appointment of Aaron North, employed by the Healthy Kids Program, for the 2024-2025 school year was also approved.

Susan Weyand became deputy keyboard specialist; Amanda Miller and Briar Beckman have been appointed as alternate cleaners and alternate custodians; and Patrick Nixon was appointed foster carer. Cheyenne Shaw was named teacher’s aide and probationary Brandi Clabeaux was named school supervisor in the food service department. Indya Lauer has been named substitute teacher, substitute teaching assistant and substitute school superintendent. Sophia Genovese has been appointed as a substitute food services aide and substitute school superintendent.

Robbie Riehle has resigned as school superintendent, effective at the end of today. Michelle Lulas resigned as a teaching assistant, effective at the end of the day on November 5. Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson called Riehle and Lulas “two truly outstanding, long-term employees.”

Amy VanNote and Lisa Huffman resigned from their positions as substitute teachers and substitute teaching assistants; Rachel LePre resigned as assistant; Robert Hummel resigned as bus driver; Heather Golembiewski resigned as school principal; and Brandi Irudayaraj resigned as freshman advisor.

Anderson noticed this too “great progress” was completed as part of the district’s pool repair project, and playground equipment was recently installed and was scheduled to open by the end of October. Additionally, the District’s 2024-2025 budget includes a capital expenditure project for Gowanda Central Schools. Most of the work, valued at up to $100,000, will focus on removing interior stair steps and installing floors at middle and high schools.

The Board of Education also approved an additional contract to transport students to Jamestown at a daily rate of $600.

The next Gowanda Board of Education meeting will be Wednesday, November 13.