GOWANDA — The Gowanda Board of Education recently approved a wave of new hires in the district. Among them, two new teachers joined the district: Gina Artieri, Sixth Grade; and Dominic Buttino, Mathematics.
Artieri, of Lockport, is certified in Childhood Education Grades 1-6. Artieri has a bachelor’s degree from Alfred University, with previous experience at Sweet Angels Day Care and Preschool, and at Lockport City Schools as a substitute teacher.
Buttino, of Cheektowaga, is certified in Mathematics 7-12. Buttino has a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University at Buffalo Honors College and a master’s degree in Mathematics Teaching from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah. Buttino previously worked at St. Stephen’s and St. John’s Catholic Schools as a Middle School Math and K-8 Technology teacher.
Also among the new hires included Stacy Littlejohn, Teaching Assistant; JoAnn Mentley, Teacher Aide; and Stacey Fulford, Keyboard Specialist II. Valerie Bentley was appointed as Administrative Secretary after leaving her position as Keyboard Specialist II.
A new Head Custodian, Cheri Burke, was also hired; as well as two new Cleaners, Amanda Miller and Dillon Dentice; and a Seasonal Laborer, Joseph Cooper. Kimberly Hughes was hired as a Food Service Helper and Mary Sprague as a School Monitor. Ashley Slocum and Zoey Buthy were hired as School Monitors and Substitute Food Service Helpers.
“I want to congratulate our new hires. Welcome to the team,” said Board Member John Waterman. “We’re glad to have them. I hope we got the folks on board that needed to be on there to fill in some of the gaps here.”
However, the district did not receive any response to a request for proposals regarding an athletic trainer. The shared position through BOCES also did not receive any applicants.
The district also accepted the resignations of High School Art Teacher Daniel Galas and High School Social Worker Robyn Dhand.
Also of note, Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson offered an update on the district’s capital improvements. The pool repair project has been submitted to the State Education Department and is awaiting final approval. Bid opening is planned for this October.
“Right now, we’re still kind of on target. At the end of this calendar year-ish to get the pool back up and running,” Anderson said.
New playground equipment has been ordered and the district is awaiting shipment. The school’s gym flooring was refinished and decorated, and a new scoreboard at Hillis Field is still on schedule for installation Sept. 18.
