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GOWANDA Despite some empty seats on the school board, remaining members and newly elected President Dana Szalay are ready for a new chapter that does not include as much controversy and in-fighting.
During an earlier meeting this month, the board officially voted Szalay as president. The board had been without an official leader since Ron Cook resigned from the board in November while seats held by both Janet Vogtli and David Barnes, who both resigned last month, remain open.
Szalay hopes the changes can begin a healing process. “There are some things shared in the public, and people can say whatever they want to the public, but that doesn’t make it true,” she said. “We really want the employees of the district, people in the community, and students to know that we truly are there for them as support, and we encourage folks to come to any one of us with positive stories, concerns, or other ideas. It’s unfortunate that some folks may only share