First Phase of Project Nearly Done At Gilboa-Conesville

GILBOA-CONESVILLE — The first phase of a $7.8 million improvements project at Gilboa-Conesville Central School is nearing completion and hopefully will be done by the time students return to school after Labor Day (Sept. 7), District Superintendent Bonnie Johnson reported at the Thursday, Aug. 20 school board meeting.

"They just finished gym flooring and curing," she said. "The playground resurfacing should be finished this week. A lot of really cool things are happening. It's just beautiful. I'm very happy with how it's been going."

Other administrators and board members had similar thoughts and there was much praise for the work of C & S Construction, the construction management firm overseeing the project. The second phase is scheduled for next summer, Johnson added.

"C & S has been phenomenal," school board member Karl Gockel Jr. said. "We couldn't have a better firm working for us."

Johnson further reported that a coaches handbook approved at the meeting is new this year and includes guidelines for what the district expects of its athletic coaches, and also provisions for the athletic director to do evaluations of coaches.

Grades 7-12 Principal Mary Hinkley reported on a concept being introduced this school year called senior seminars where seniors can do job shadowing, interviewing, bringing in presenters from various professions and then doing a presentation on their experience.

"Any thought of including juniors in that?" asked School Board President Greg Woodcock. "In my mind, it's a pivotal year to start figuring that stuff out."

Hinkley responded there was thought to including juniors, and Johnson added there should be some benefits for juniors from the program.

Approved at the meeting were this school year's safety plan, professional learning plan, special education plan, athletic and mentor/mentee handbooks and the 2026-27 bus runs. The board also approved agreements with Cintas and the Charlotte Valley Central School District.

In personnel actions at the end of the meeting, Carl Fancher was approved as a substitute bus driver. Regents proctors for 2026 were also approved and they are Melissa McDonald, Michael Meli, Jamie Durkin, Fred Vamosy, Michelle Casazza, Melanie Goodwin, Derek VanLangen and Megan Murphy.

Anne Kovac was approved as mentor/mentee coordinator for 2026-27. Mentors for this school year are: Chris O'Connell-Patrick McCabe; Amanda Ross-Taylor Socci; Darcy Jaeger Brand-Caleb Lococo; Lindsay Timm-Felina Marshall.

The school board voted to accept the resignation of Claudia Ludwin as physical education teacher, modified girls soccer coach and Class of 2028 advisor. Amanda Ross was approved as Class of 2028 advisor for the 2026-27 school year.

Kyle Pickett was approved as physical education teacher for a four-year probationary term starting Sept. 1. He was also approved as modified girls soccer coach for 2026-27.

Thomas Pickett was approved as UPK-12 teacher and LTA substitute for this school year.