Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education Vice President Todd Bates (left) and Board Member Naaman Lowry (right) present the GCS School Staff Recognition Award to GHS Teaching Assistant Laurie Shrewsberry during the March 6 school board meeting in the GHS cafeteria. (Rachel Hunter photo)
by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education at its Monday, March 6 meeting presented a Gouverneur Central School Staff Recognition Award (2022-23 School Year) to Gouverneur High School Teaching Assistant Laurie Shrewsberry.
“One of our favorite things to do is to recognize a staff member for going above and beyond for our kids, District and each other,” Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education President David Fenlong said. “Today, we have another great example to share. The District Shared Decision-Making Committee receives nominations on wonderful people and employees, and have the difficult decision of narrowing it down to just one.”
President Fenlong then read the award as follows: “Whereas, the efforts of the Gouverneur Central School District support staff are essential to the successful operation of the District’s schools and programs, and
“Whereas, the District Shared Decision-Making Committee, in consideration of her nomination, recognizes Mrs. Laurie Shrewsberry as a worthy recipient of the Gouverneur Central School Staff Recognition Award for the 2022-23 school year, and
“Whereas, The District Shared Decision-Making Committee determined Mrs. Shrewsberry’s worthiness of this recognition because, “Mrs. Shrewsberry always steps in to help when there are absences or shortages of substitutes within the classroom. When the main teacher is absent from the classroom, she steps in to run lessons and support the supporting staff in the classroom. Laurie is able to work effectively with any student in the classroom with patience and kindness. She also provides support for the students when they are conducting different life skills such as cooking, budgeting, and social interactions. She is an overall kind person who would do anything for anyone. Laurie not only interacts with her students, but other students as well. She supports aides with recommendations of what to do better to engage the students more in the lessons and skills to provide them with a better life outside of school.”
“Therefore, the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education recognized Mrs. Laurie Shrewsberry as a recipient of the Gouverneur Central School Staff Recognition award for the 2022-23 school year. The Board of Education congratulates Mrs. Shrewsberry on her nomination and award, and extends its appreciation for her dedication and service to the students and families of the Gouverneur Central School District.
“Approved, this 13th day of February, 2023, by the Board of Education of the Gouverneur Central School District.” It was signed by David Fenlong, President of the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education. The award was presented to Mrs. Shrewsberry by Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education Vice President Todd Bates and Board Member Naaman Lowry. Great applause sounded throughout the GHS cafeteria as the award was presented to Mrs. Shrewsberry.
In other school news:
Gouverneur Central School District Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly gave the following recognition at the March 6 meeting: “I’d like to take a moment tonight to recognize our Winter student-athletes who competed in New York State athletic competitions this year. Last weekend, Gouverneur was well represented at the State Wrestling Competition in Albany. Representing the Wildcats were Cyler Baer, Drew Gates, Zoe Griffith, Hunter Mashaw, JD Minckler, Paul Minckler, Turner Sochia, and Vandavian Way. Vandavian took fourth place for the second year in a row, becoming Gouverneur’s 58th New York State Place Finisher. The Gouverneur Wildcats were also well represented at the State competition for Track and Field on Staten Island. Competing were Abigail Bowman, Audrey Gaines, Meadow Greenhill, Jacey Sheen, Owen Siebels, and Emily Smith. The 4x200 relay team of Abigail Bowman, Jacey Sheen, Meadow Greenhill, and Emily Smith set a new school record. Riley Shepherd represented the Gouverneur Wildcats at the State swimming competition in Ithaca. Riley swam the butterfly and achieved a new personal best. Our Boys Varsity Basketball Team had a very successful season, and it was topped off by our very own Raine Rumble being named Section 10 Central MVP. Jared Donaldson and Ethan Fitzgerald were named to the second team, and John Finne IV earned the Sportsmanship Award. And then, of course, our Girls Varsity Basketball Team won the Overall Section 10 title for the first time since 1989… Chloe Smith was named Section 10 Central Co-MVP. Meredith Bush and Elizabeth Riutta were named to the first team, while Lia Canell received second team honors and Addison Conklin received the Sportsmanship Award. Congratulations to all of our student athletes and their coaches.” Great applause sounded in recognition of the student-athletes hard work and dedication to excellence.
Board Member Laurie Roberts extended gratitude to the Wildcat fans for their faithful dedication to supporting the student-athletes during the regular and post-season play.
Board Member Brooke Bush also extended a special word of appreciation to GHS Yearbook Editor Cory Young for his dedication in photographing the student-athletes each season. “He’s taking great pictures,” Mrs. Bush said. “He’s everywhere,” Supt. Kelly said.
At the Feb. 23 school board meeting, Supt. Kelly congratulated the students who recently competed in the Adirondack Science Olympiad competition at SUNY Plattsburgh, including Ava Bartholomew, Carly Bartholomew, Ivey Bulger, Madison Hopper, Noel LaPierre, Mariah Manning, Elizabeth Riutta, Jack Schroeder, Danielle Shattuck, Riley Shepherd, Caitlyn Storie, Dillon Storie, Kaden Wells, and Nathan Worden, and advisors Lisa Dunkelberg, Sam Sochia, and Sarah Wood. The students came away with multiple medals in events such as Engineering, Technology, and construction. She also recognized student athletes including Zoe Griffith, who took 2nd place at the first State Competition for Girls’ Wrestling; the Girls’ Basketball team for their record of 19 and 1 going into playoffs; and the Boys’ Swim team, who won the Section 10 title for the first time in over 20 years. The team members include Carter Lumley, Chase Tuttle, Gavin Warren, Gavin Davis, Tigran Sahakyan, and Riley Shepherd, who qualified for states in the 100M butterfly.
At the March 6 school board meeting, Student Board Representative Mariah Manning reported that the GHS Spring Musical, Into The Woods, Jr., would be coming to the GHS Auditorium Stage on Friday, March 24 and Saturday, March 25, 7 p.m. curtain. In addition, she said that there was a American Red Cross Blood Drive, sponsored by the National Honor Society, which had a good turnout. Much gratitude was extended to Miss Manning for her report.
The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education approved the following appointments as a consent agenda: Under Instructional, Agriculture Teacher Kylie A. Spinner was appointed to a four-year probationary period, commending on February 2, 2023. The school board appointed Special Education Teacher (Secondary) Jill M. Davis to a 3-year probation commencing on May 1, 2023. The school board appointed Special Education Teacher (Elementary) Keegan Little to a 3-year probation commencing May 1, 2023.
Extra Curricular: The school board made the following appointments to the Marching Band for Summer 2023: Director Jenelle Yeoman, Assistant 1 Hailey Cook, Assistant 2 Madison Kurdziel, Color Guard Ryan Burt, and Volunteer Lynn Kurdziel. The school board also appointed the following 2022-23 Spring Coaches: JV Girls Softball Saddie Whitaker, Assistant Softball Volunteer Edward Smith, JV Boys Baseball Christine Cognetti, Assistant Baseball Volunteer Matthew Ashley, Assistant Boys Track Robert Webster, and Golf Volunteer Nicholas Sterling. The school board rescinded the appointment Shawn Typhair (JV Girls Softball) and Saddie Whitaker (Modified Girls Softball).
The school board also acknowledged the leave of absence covered under FMLA provisions for a probationary employee.
Under New Business: The school board approved the appointment of Pat Williams, who is permanently certified in N-6, as a long-term substitute from April 24-June 23, 2023.
The school board created six 2.75-hour Food Service Helper positions, in the Labor class of the civil service, represented by the GSRPU, effective March 7, 2023.
The school board approved the request from the Gouverneur High School Chapter of FFA to attend and participate in the following: Northeast All-Breeds Spring Cow Show (April 17-22, 2023), FFA State Convention in Buffalo (May 17-20, 2023), and Washington Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. (June 6-11, 2023).
The school board approved the Memorandum of Agreement for Election Services between the St. Lawrence County Board of Elections and the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, applicable to the GCSD Election being held on May 16, 2023, and any subsequent revote(s) related thereto, as presented.
The school board approve to compensate election inspectors at the rate of $175 per day on School District voting days during the 2022-23 school year.
The school board appointed inspector and officers for the annual vote. The following resolution was approved: “Whereas, the Board of Education of the Gouverneur Central School District, St. Lawrence County, New York, has called an Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote of the qualified voters of said School District to be held on the 16th day of May 2023, and
“Whereas, it is now desired to provide for the appointment of inspectors and officers for said Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote, Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, that the Board of Education approve the appointments as follows: Laurie Roberts, a duly qualified voter of said School District, is hereby appointed as the Chairman of the Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote on May 16, 2023, and the Budget Hearing on May 8, 2023. The following named qualified voters of said School District are hereby appointed to act as Inspectors off Election of the Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote, so that there shall be at least two inspectors for each voting machine to be used thereat: Diane Kelley, Chief Election Inspector, Judith Poticher, Election Inspector, and Susan McHeffey as Alternate. Lisa Sheen is designated as Acting Clerk in the absence or inability to act of the District Clerk, for purposes of said Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote. Kim Shampine is designated as Assistant Clerk of said Annual School Board Election and Budget Vote. Be it further resolved, the Board authorizes the Clerk to make any changes to the appointments as deemed necessary, per the county list of approved inspectors, or appoint at least two inspectors for each voting machine from the list of certified inspectors.”
The school board approved a merger with Harrisville Central School District to allow their students to participate on the Gouverneur Boys and Girls Track teams during the 2022-23 school year.
The school board also accepted the donation of 500 Quidel at-home COVID test boxes (two tests per box) from the Community Health Center of the North Country, for distribution as needed. Much gratitude was extended to the Community Health Center of the North Country for the gift.
The next meeting of the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 20, 5:30 p.m., in the GHS Cafeteria. For more information about the Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.