by Rachel Hunter
The Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education approved a series of personnel actions at its meeting on Monday, February 9, presented and recommended by Gouverneur CSD Superintendent Jackie Kelly.
The Board approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the District and the Gouverneur Education Association, dated January 26, 2026, which permits the use of outside service providers to deliver interim student instruction when in‑person instructors are unavailable, including for the current Speech Pathologist vacancy. The Board also approved a Memorandum of Agreement between the District and the Gouverneur School Related Personnel Union, dated February 9, 2026, which adds the position title “Building Electrical Maintenance Worker” to the GSRPU contract.
The Board voted to create one 2.75‑hour Food Service Helper position, effective immediately, under the terms of the GSRPU contract. It also approved replacing one Building Maintenance Worker position with a Building Electrical Maintenance Worker position in the non‑competitive class of Civil Service, also effective immediately and under GSRPU terms.
Two retirements were accepted, with Karleen Bognaski retiring from her position as Teacher of the Visually Impaired/Special Education teacher effective June 30, 2026, and Nola Farns retiring from her position as Special Education teacher on the same date. The Board also accepted the resignation of School Counselor Jamie DeRusso, effective at the close of business on February 27, 2026.
Several appointments were approved. Nicole Rose was appointed as a 2.75‑hour Food Service Helper beginning February 2, 2026, and Angellee Jenkins was appointed to the same position beginning February 10, 2026. Curtis Hall was appointed as a Building Electrical Maintenance Worker effective February 18, 2026, and Terry Scott was appointed as a Building Maintenance Worker also effective February 18, 2026.
The Board approved the Summer 2026 Marching Band leadership, naming Olivia Dearbeck as director; Ryan Burt and Jenneca Cook as assistants; Hailey Cook as color guard instructor; and Lynn Kurdziel and Gianna Montagno as volunteers. Spring 2026 coaching appointments were also approved, including Michael J. Bason for golf; Michelle M. Benda for varsity softball; Anthony Besaw for modified baseball; Shawn P. Cummings as boys track assistant; Sean T. Devlin as boys varsity track coach; Chelsi Peck as a volunteer modified softball coach; Aaron M. McEathron as varsity baseball coach; Julie K. Neiss as modified track coach; Korrine Patterson as a volunteer softball assistant; Sarah Riutta as modified softball coach; Shawn J. Typhair as junior varsity softball coach; Kurtis P. Wells as girls track coach; and Saddie R. Whitaker as a volunteer softball assistant.
The Board approved five substitutes: Jordyn Girard, Allysa Byrd, Harlee Derr, Anne Degroat‑Laisdell, and Sarita Hall.
Three probationary adjustments were authorized. One employee’s probationary period was extended by 146 days due to approved unpaid leave and an expired certification interval during the original probationary term. Two additional employees had their probationary terms modified to reflect the issuance dates of their certifications, adjusting one term to January 9, 2026, through January 8, 2030, and the other to January 21, 2026, through January 20, 2030.
The next regular meeting of the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education will be held on Monday, March 9, 5:30 p.m., in the Gouverneur Middle School Cafeteria. For more information, visit www.gcsk12.org.