Matt Cummings of Young and Wright Architectural gave a presentation to the Gowanda School Board of Education on a pool repair project. The school board accepted a bid for the project at a recent meeting.

GOWANDA — Cannonball!

A pool repair project in Gowanda has taken its next major step forward, as a bid for the project was received and accepted by the Gowanda Central School Board at a recent meeting.

The district only received one bid on the project, from Numarco Inc. of Elma. The base bid for the project is for $292,000. Acceptance of the bid, received on Nov. 1, was recommended to the school board by Young and Wright Architectural, which is overseeing the project.

Young and Wright conducted an interview with the bidder and found “no basis to disqualify” the bid. School Board Vice President Dollene Christopher stated she was pleased that the cost of the project was less than anticipated.

The district hopes for substantial completion of the Pool Repair project by June 30. The district hopes to open the pool by the beginning of next school year in September 2024.

Also of note in the district, a $500 donation from the Safari Club International WNY Chapter was awarded to the Gowanda Trap Team.

The board also approved a wave of new hires. Laura Fiorella was appointed as a Long-term Substitute School Social Worker; Carl Racinowski was appointed as an automotive mechanic; Carla Jefferlone was hired as a bus driver; and Lisa Gray was hired as a teacher aide.

The district also appointed three substitute teacher and substitute teaching assistants: Lilith Barone, Dillon McMahon, and Benjamin Wahl. McMahon was additionally approved as a substitute teacher aide and a substitute school monitor.

The resignation of school monitor/substitute food service monitor Ronnie Farley was also approved.