FREWSBURG – For the second year, the Frewsburg Central School School District will merge its Varsity Football team with the Southwestern Central School District.

In a unanimous vote, the Frewsburg Board of Education Thursday approved the merger for the 2026-2027 school year.

“A year ago, there was a lot of hesitation in the community to merge the two programs,” Board President Mike LeBaron said. “Everyone on the board understood that. We wanted to have the ability, one year later to vote to approve or disapprove again, and from what you heard tonight, we all approved. And it’s working great.”

Frewsburg Athletic Trainer Charlie Oviatt read a letter to the board and shared her optimism about how the merger has been positive in the district.

“I strongly believe that Frewsburg should continue the football merger with Southwestern,” Oviatt said.

She added that as an athletic trainer, one of her duties is to make sure the student athletes are safe on and off the field. With the merger, this past season, she noted, the district was able to have three levels of football – modified, junior varsity, and varsity.

“With three levels, student athletes were able to practice and play against the appropriate skill level as them,” Oviatt said. “With merging football programs, it increased the number of student athletes on the roster, which helped the student athletes not having to play both sides of the ball. We were able to rotate players (and) student athletes were not afraid to report injuries at practice.”

Oviatt said the team was able to have 11-on-11 during offense and defense, which helped the student athletes improve and prepare for that week’s game.

“This past season, our student athletes learned more than just football. They learned to work together as a team, build a good working relationship with their teammates, coaching staff and administration, and they also learned to be well-rounded human beings,” Oviatt said. “I am grateful for all the support that was given, not only by Frewsburg, but also by Southwestern coaches, players and community.”

Interim Superintendent Lynda Quick said a meeting is scheduled for Feb. 3 for both districts to come together and have a conversation about addressing some concerns about uniforms, identity, practice times and facilities, and venues where games will be played.

“So we will be moving forward very quickly with that so that we can address those concerns,” Quick said. “The section (New York State Public High School Athletic Association Section VI) does need to know quickly whether we’re going to pursue this.”

The board also approved merging the junior varsity football team, and the competitive cheerleading team with SWCS.