OBSERVER Photo by Christopher Blakeslee Standing, left, Carrie Graham was officially sworn back onto the Frewsburg Central School District’s (FCSD) Board of Education (BOE) on Thursday in the high school library at 26 Institute Street, with BOE Clerk Laura Smith administering the oath. The board has experienced several changes in its membership recently, including the official resignation of board President Larry Lodestro on Tuesday.

FREWSBURG – One week after the Frewsburg Central School board suspended its superintendent and its buildings and grounds supervisor, Board President Larry Lodestro has resigned.

During a reorganizational meeting on Thursday, the board officially accepted Lodestro’s resignation Lodestro submitted his resignation letter to the board on Tuesday. This development comes in the wake of the suspension, with pay, of FCSD Superintendent Dr. Danielle Cook and John McLaughlin, the district’s buildings and grounds maintenance supervisor, pending the outcome of an internal investigation, as reported in a June 28 article by the Post-Journal.

Tiffany Frederes was unanimously approved by the board on Thursday to be the acting district superintendent.

During the meeting, newly elected and re-elected Board of Education (BOE) members were sworn in to their positions. The current BOE comprises Thomas Fenton, Bradley Swanson, Carrie Graham, Polly Janson, Michael LeBaron, Randall Beckstrom, and Jason Ruhlman. In a recent decision, the board appointed LeBaron as the new president, with Hanson stepping into the role of vice president, succeeding Carrie Graham. Additionally, Graham has been appointed as a board member to fill the vacancy left by Lodestro’s resignation..

In her new role as interim superintendent, Frederes proposed she and the board members gather at a future date for a team-building retreat.

“I would like to propose that we arrange a meeting in the near future to engage in team-building activities and establish goals for our school district. This initiative will ensure that we are all aligned as we move forward,” said Frederes. “I will compile a list of potential times and dates and circulate it for everyone’s availability.”

Echoing Freder’s sentiments, Brad Swanson, a new board member, expressed excitement about joining the board.

“I look forward to collaborating with the interim superintendent to advance our school district, as open communication is vital to our future successes,” he said.