Silver Creek Middle School Principal Bethany Brown

IRVING — Silver Creek recently welcomed a new interim middle school principal with an administrator now absent.

Middle School Principal Bethany Brown is on leave from her role in the district. Families of district students were notified that an interim principal, Sharon Huff, has assumed the duties effective Monday, November 11.

At a recent Board of Education meeting held at the Seneca Nation of Indians Early Childhood Learning Center, Thursday, Huff was retroactively named acting Middle School principal.

“Thanks for stepping in when we needed you” Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston told Huff at the recent meeting.

There was no mention of Brown on the agenda at the meeting. The Board of Education adjourned the most recent meeting into executive session to discuss district matters out of public session.

Brown was named Middle School principal in November 2021 on the recommendation of then-Superintendent Todd Crandall. Brown’s role with the district would then begin in January 2022. At the time of her appointment, the district stated that Brown had eight years of teaching experience, as well as three years as an elementary school principal and seven years as a middle school principal.

There has been no timetable or clarification from the district regarding Brown’s status as Silver Creek Middle School principal. The appointment of Huff was made as a replacement, rather than an interim title, with no end date specified. The terms of the contract are to be determined under Ralston’s direction.

Huff began her time in the district as a long-term substitute in late September to address special education needs at Silver Creek High School. “I really enjoyed it, and then I got this opportunity,” Huff said.

Huff said of Silver Creek during her short tenure thus far, “It is such a kind, caring, wonderful staff. I really love the students.”

The district also recognized employees Katie Burke and Shannon Near for their efforts within the district. Ralston characterized the duo as “the dream team in the AIS (academic intervention services) world”.

Since taking over as Superintendent in the summer of 2023, Ralston has welcomed several employees to board meetings to highlight their efforts with the district.

“You deserve to be recognized” Ralston said to Burke and Near.

At its last meeting, the board also appointed Taylor Potter as a permanent replacement at a rate of $225 per day. Denine Vara was appointed bus host; Cindy Thurston was appointed lunch supervisor; Deanna Robbins transitioned from the role of Teaching Assistant to Teaching Assistant; and Michele Valentine was granted permanent status as a 12-month administrative assistant. A contract agreement was also approved between the district and Paula Redeye to serve as a mentor to the district’s Native American Education Coordinator.

The next meeting of the Silver Creek Board of Education is Thursday, December 12 at 19.00