Erie City SD honors staff and names inaugural district historian; superintendent outlines strategic planning
Erie City SD Board of Directors · January 15, 2026
Summary
The Erie City SD board recognized multiple staff with BrAVO awards, named Emily Hancock as the district's inaugural historian and heard Superintendent Dr. Natalie Gibbs outline the district's strategic-planning process and partnerships with Panorama Education.
The Erie City SD board opened its Jan. 14 meeting with a slate of recognitions and presentations before moving to routine business.
Student leaders, including Dylan (Erie High) and Kumar Abbas (Wilson Middle School), led a brief tribute to board members and presented thank-you slides. The board presented BrAVO awards to numerous staff members across the district, citing instructional support, behavior interventions and community engagement.
The board officially recognized Emily Hancock as the inaugural district historian for a 2026'028 appointment; the historian position was created by a prior board resolution. Hancock said she is "very excited to get started" and intends to surface local history in partnership with schools.
Superintendent Dr. Natalie Gibbs delivered the report of the superintendent, highlighting the district's "Building Excellence Together" work, an ongoing professional-development partnership with Panorama Education and a strategic-planning process with the K12 Coalition. Gibbs described forthcoming listening sessions with students, families, staff and community partners and said a board work session is scheduled for Feb. 19 with the district aiming to present a strategic plan for board consideration in March.
The meeting also included committee and liaison reports (governance and wellness committees), foundation updates about volunteer clearance clinics, and a student leadership presentation about Erie High activities such as SkillsUSA and community service projects.
The board took routine votes to approve the secretary's report, superintendent's report and consent agenda items before moving to public comment.
