Andrew Ludwig

The Fredonia Central School District office released an official notice of a board seat opening a day after accepting Dan Ihasz’s surprising resignation during its regular Tuesday meeting.

During that same meeting, former Middle School Principal Andrew Ludwig announced to the board his intentions of applying for the position, citing the fact that during the last election, he received “over 200 votes” as a write-in candidate.

Had the board decided to opt for the second-highest vote-getter in that election to fill the now-vacant seat, Ludwig would presumably have been asked, given that he is no longer an employee of the district, effective June 30. However, after significant discussion, the board opted to go with an appointment process. The district is currently accepting letters of intent and resumes from interested candidates

The OBSERVER noticed the following requirement under the list of candidate qualifications: “an individual…may not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year.”

When asked about that particular qualification requirement, something not listed in the New York State Board Association website’s recommended list of qualifications, Ludwig said it didn’t apply to him.

“Technically, I wasn’t removed,” Ludwig said. “I was on leave, then I retired. I’ve got my letter (of intent) written up and my resume updated. I was just debating when to take it down to hand deliver it.”

District Clerk Jessica Legere denied that the qualification requirement had anything to do with Ludwig’s announced intent to apply for the board position.

“It’s the same qualifications we published for the election in November of 2014, the ad for the vacancy that Cristina Gegenschatz took. I know that part is exactly the same, we just changed the dates.”Legere further clarified that the language in the requirement referencing “any school district office” isn’t intended to mean former employees of the district.

“It’s for an office — for an officer — not for any position,” Legere told the OBSERVER. “An officer is different; like a district clerk or treasurer, any of the officers that we have appointed in the last year.”

This is the official notice from the Fredonia school district:

The Fredonia Central School Board of Education is seeking letters of interest and resumes from individuals wishing to fill a current vacancy on the Board of Education. This will fill a term for the 2018-2019 school year. Interested individuals will be encouraged to run for a full-term (5-year) Board position at the District’s Annual Meeting, Budget Vote, and Election on May 21, 2019.

To qualify for membership on a school board, an individual:

¯ must be able to read and write

¯ must be a qualified voter of the Fredonia Central School District (must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age or older)

¯ must be and have been a resident of the District for a continuous and uninterrupted period of at least one year

¯ may not have been removed from any school district office within the preceding year

¯ may not reside with another member of the same school board as a member of the same family

¯ may not be a current employee of the school board

¯ may not simultaneously hold another incompatible public office

Letters of interest and resumes will be accepted until Aug. 1,at 4 p.m. and should be delivered or mailed to the district clerk, Fredonia Central School District, 425 E. Main Street, Fredonia, NY 14063.

There will be a Special Meeting of the Board of Education held Monday, Aug. 6 at 6 p.m. in the High School Library. The sole purpose of this meeting will be to enter into executive session to review and discuss the letters of interest and resumes submitted for the board vacancy.

There will also be a Special Meeting held, Monday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. in the High School Library. The sole purpose of this meeting will be to enter into executive session to interview potential candidates for the board vacancy.

Matters pertaining to specific personnel are discussed in executive session with no action being taken by the board at that time and according to New York State Open Meetings Law. The board anticipates that the new board member will be appointed during the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at 6 p.m. in the High School Library. Please contact the District Clerk at 679-1581, extension 2701, with any questions.