Fredonia seeks new contractor for capital project
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What Fredonia Superintendent Brad Zilliox called an "ongoing saga" has now turned the page to a new chapter.
The Fredonia Central School District officially terminated its contract with Siemens for its Capital Project. Siemens submitted the lowest bid for the Capital Project, but was unable to complete the project. "Every once in a while, things don't work out quite as we hoped. This would be an example of that," Zilliox said.
Zilliox acknowledged the new stadium for the Buffalo Bills being built has caused difficulties for local entities seeking contractors. Despite that, Fredonia still wanted to move on from Siemens. The district hopes to receive bids from new contractors in the coming weeks.
"At this point, we felt like we were better moving on from the contractor that we had in play initially, which means that we will go back to bid, and then have another group come in to facilitate this work," Zilliox said. "That's where we are right now. It's unfortunate that it didn't go as we hoped or planned, but we adjust and adapt, and we find another way."
The Capital Project has been broken into two parts, Phase 1 and Phase 2. The district already approved Phase 2, at an earlier meeting of the Fredonia Board of Education.
Phase 2 of the project, which will be completed by Transit Construction at a total cost of $35,000, includes the installation of a teller window at the Wheelock School, along with a coiled fire shutter.
Other improvements include blacktop work at Wheelock, as well as additional safety improvements. Young and Wright Architecture is overseeing the Capital Project.
The recent meeting of the Board of Education also included multiple personnel items on the agenda. Notably, the district appointed Samantha Gambino as a Special Education Teacher in the High School. Gambino joins a growing list of local teachers to leave their previous role to come to Fredonia, as Gambino comes to the district from the Cassadaga Valley district. Gambino's role at Fredonia will commence Nov. 13 after a 30-day notice period at Cassadaga Valley concludes.
Also at the recent meeting, the resignation of Elizabeth Wronski, Special Education Teacher and PowerTribe Advisor, was approved. Permanent appointments were granted to Fran Catalano, Teacher Aide; Jessica Snyder, Teacher Aide; and Virginia Larson, Food Service Helper. Kristen Christopher and Amber Meli were each appointed as probationary Teacher Aides, while Dorothy Johnson was assigned as a Special Class Aide.
The district also approved its winter athletic coaches, including new hire Julie Sanders as an Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach. The district also approved an overnight trip for the JV and Varsity Basketball teams to visit Camp Mission Meadows in Dewittville, NY, from Nov. 21 to 22. Additionally, the Boys Basketball team will hold a Drills and Skills clinic Friday, Nov. 24.