by Rachel Hunter
At its December 8 meeting at the Gouverneur Elementary School cafeteria, the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education, upon the recommendation of Superintendent Jacquelyn L. Kelly, approved a series of personnel changes under a consent agenda.
The Board accepted the retirements of Kelly Spencer Ayen, an elementary kindergarten teacher (effective January 9, 2026), and Robert J. Dunkelberg, a social studies teacher (effective June 30, 2026). Resignations were also approved for Ashley Davis, an eight-hour cleaner (effective November 3, 2025); Krystle Cardinell, a six-hour food service helper (effective November 28, 2025); and Kimberly A. Cummings, a 2.75-hour food service helper (effective January 9, 2026).
In appointments, several winter coaches were named, including Hailey Cook as a cheerleading volunteer, Dylan J. Morrison for girls wrestling, Randy Morrison as varsity assistant/JV wrestling coach, Chloe M. Smith and Laney Smith as girls basketball volunteers, and Samuel E. Sochia and Benjamin Hoffman as volunteer assistants for girls wrestling, along with Dillon Stowell as a wrestling assistant volunteer.
Instructional appointments included Maggie E. Murphy as an elementary kindergarten teacher in the PreK–6 tenure area, beginning January 5, 2026, for a four-year probationary term.
Non-instructional appointments included cleaners Shawn Byrne, Hana Smith, Michael Crawn, and Morgan House, all anticipated to start December 9, 2025. Julieanne Koerick was approved as an instructional/support substitute.
Emma McDougall, a SUNY Plattsburgh student, was appointed as a school psychologist intern for the 2026–27 school year under the supervision of Dale R. Munn Jr.
Additionally, the Board approved a leave of absence for Carrie Chartrand from her position as a six-hour food service helper and appointed her as a long-term substitute cook from September 24 to October 7, 2025.
In other news: The Board adopted a resolution granting a partial property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers.
The Board adopted a resolution approving an easement for utility purposes.
The Board also reviewed and approved the 2025 Tax Collector’s Report, dated December 2, 2025, which detailed a tax levy of $7,208,765 for the 2025–26 school year, with $847,139.75 of the levy remaining unpaid. The Board further approved the 2025 Return of Unpaid Taxes in the amounts of $835,142.53 and $11,997.22, plus any penalties, to be collected by St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties.
The Board authorized several overnight trip requests for the Gouverneur CSD Wildcat varsity wrestling program, including the Windsor Holiday Tournament at Windsor High School on December 29–30, the Bradshaw Invitational at Canandaigua Academy on January 16–17, the Second Annual Windsor Lady Black Knights Invitational at Windsor High School on January 18–19, the King and Queen Bison Invitational at Shaker High School in Latham on January 24–25, and the Lady Legacy Tournament in Homer on January 30–31.
The next regular meeting of the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education will be held on Jan. 12 in the GHS auditorium. For more information, visit www.gcsk12.org.