OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Matthew Tomasik, a Mathematics Teacher at the Silver Creek Central School District, was recently approved for tenure. Tomasik, left, is pictured with Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston.

SILVER CREEK — A busy Board of Education meeting with an audience that had every seat filled — and then some — witnessed a career milestone for one of Silver Creek’s dedicated teachers.

Matthew Tomasik was recently granted tenure following successful completion of his probationary period of employment. Tomasik will return from mid-winter recess as a fully tenured Mathematics teacher at Silver Creek. He holds professional certification in Mathematics Grades 7-12 with an extension for Grades 5-6.

“I’m extremely grateful for being part of the Silver Creek family, just being able to work with the children that we have here and getting to work with the most amazing people to continue to grow as an educator,” Tomasik said.

Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston commended Tomasik for greeting students at the door in the mornings. Ralston said Tomasik is “more than a name on a door,” and thanked him for all he does.

The District also recently appointed Daniel Novak as a Music Teacher, effective Feb. 13. Novak’s role will be probationary until he is eligible for tenure on Feb. 12, 2029. Novak came to Silver Creek as a student teacher, and Ralston characterized his performance as “excellent.”

Ralston said, “Sometimes, when we interview people, we know they are meant to be doing this work and they are meant to be doing it here. That was very obvious when we interviewed (Novak).”

Additionally, Sharon Huff has transitioned to the role of Elementary School Assistant Principal, effective Feb. 24. She replaces Sydney Neubauer, who is now the Middle School Principal. Huff will remain in her new position until the role is filled permanently.

“She continues to step up and step in for any position that we need this year,” Ralston said while making a point to publicly thank Huff.

The District also acknowledged Adam Lukasik and Jeffrey Smith as bus drivers in training with the intent to become a substitute bus driver. Ashley Cullinan was permanently appointed as a bus driver, effective March 14. Ralston stated that bus drivers carry the District’s “most precious cargo” and that the District “wouldn’t have anything to do all day” without their service.

Three substitutes were also recently approved by the Board: Dawn Seekings, Lunch Monitor and Teacher Aide; Sarah Hamilton, Teacher and Teaching Assistant; and Maria Couchman, Teacher and Teaching Assistant. Jessica Nolan resigned from the role of Teacher Aide, effective Jan. 24.

Candace Kuppel was recognized as the instructor for the beginning sewing community education program this spring. Knight U instructors were also finalized by the District at an instructional rate of $45 per hour and a professional development rate of $34 per hour.

The District also retroactively appointed Taylor Potter as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher in the High School Special Education Department to cover for a teacher who has taken medical leave. Potter, who holds initial certification in Childhood Education Grades 1-6, will remain in the position through the end of the school or until the permanent teacher returns from leave.

Anne Tahamont was authorized to attend the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 16-20, 2025.

The Board also nominated incumbent members Ronald Catalano, Kathleen Chiavetta, Dwight Eagan, Linda Hoffman, and Anita Ray for three-year terms on the Erie II BOCES Board.

Also of note, upon recommendation of Ralston and District Architects, the Board approved the contract for its 2024-2025 Capital Outlay Exception Project to Corporate Flooring, of Bergen, NY, with the lowest responsible bid of $74,500 for flooring improvements throughout the District’s facilities. The bid opening was conducted on Feb. 10.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education is Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m. in the boardroom located near the high school lobby entrance.