Gowanda Superintendent Anderson
earns extension

Jun 26, 2025

Braden Carmen
Reporter
bcarmen@observertoday.com

Submitted Photo Gowanda Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson has received a contract extension through June, 2030.

GOWANDA - The final Board of Education meeting at Gowanda Central School featured 52 items on the agenda between new business and personnel. Among them was the extension of Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson.

Anderson's contract was extended through June 17, 2030. His salary for the 2025-26 school year will be $170,000. It will increase by $5,000 in each of the four subsequent years.

The Board of Education also approved a longevity payment for Business Administrator Barb Smith in the amount of $3,500 to be added to her base salary, as well as $100 per month as compensation for using her personal cell phone for professional use.

Also of note, the Board of Education approved a bid for improvements to district parking lots from Olsen & Sons Contractors at a rate of $1.87 per square foot, not to exceed $500,000. Olsen & Sons Contractors will also construct an asphalt walkway at Gowanda Middle School and High School at a cost of $22,400. The district hopes to accept a bid for its pool replacement project sometime in July.

The district also came to an agreement with the Gowanda Teachers' Association to extend the probationary period of employment for Elementary Teacher Hilary Fagnan through June 30, 2026 to allow for another school year to earn a recommendation for tenure.

Aimee Gernatt was approved as Principal Account Clerk from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. Karen Markham was approved as Senior Account Clerk Typist for the same duration.

The district appointed Antonina Roman to a probationary position as a School Social Worker. Roman has a Master's Degree in Social Work from Daemen University.

Alyssa Schmidt was approved as a Seneca Language Teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. Five others were approved for employment through the Seneca Nation's Johnson O'Malley Program: Sarah Pangborn, Tristin Hageman, Keira Thompson, Anne Foit, and Felicia Gage.

Brianna Browning (Middle School) and Theresa Oger (High School) were approved as employees of the Liberty Partnership Program. Joshua Dry was approved to be employed as a Social Worker through the Cattaraugus County Department of Community Services.

Amy Mohawk, Heather Rydzik, and Ray Logan were appointed to positions within the 2025 My Brother's Keeper Summer Program. Appointed to the 2025-2026 Healthy Kids Program were Regional Director Corri Navarra, assistants Aaron North, Riley Tighe, Shylia Dunning, and substitute assistant Bailey Roseberg. Summer School positions for the Middle School and High School were also filled.

Eight budget transfers were also approved by the Board of Education at its latest meeting, as well as several transportation contracts. Donations totaling $384 were accepted to benefit the Gowanda Middle School Student Council, as well.