The Fredonia Board of Education interviewed four candidates for its open position in an executive session at a Monday night special meeting. The four candidates — Lisa Powell Fortna, Julie LaGrow, Andrew Ludwig and Richard St. George — wrote statements that were read to the public by Board President Michael Bobseine prior to the executive session.

The opening was caused by the resignation of Dan Ihasz at the board’s July 10 meeting. The board will meet Tuesday at 6 p.m. to make the appointment.

Summaries of the candidates’ statements, from documents provided by Superintendent Jeff Sortisio, follow.

LISA POWELL FORTNA

A Fredonia native and FHS graduate, Fortna has been a member of the Fredonia Elementary PTA for 11 years in various officer positions. A former volunteer in her children’s elementary classrooms, she has also taught religious education, assisted high school students in the college entry process, and developed Americorps leaders.

“One of my most rewarding roles involved the development of college graduates and supporting them in becoming workplace ready,” she wrote. “I currently work with organizations on talent and professional development strategies.”

Fortna went on to write, “As a human resources consultant, I work with business leaders to understand organizational challenges and changing needs. My experience with interpersonal dynamics enables me to navigate complex situations and difficult decision making often faced by the Board of Education. I believe these skills can aid the district in attaining student and community goals.”

JULIE LaGROW

LaGrow and her husband have lived in Fredonia for seven years and their three children have been in the Fredonia school district for 11 years.

LaGrow has a degree in early childhood education and is Director of Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County. “I train tutors and design individualized curriculum for adults that want to learn to read, get a high school equivalency,or learn to speak English,” she stated.

“Our boys have been musicians, student-athletes, student council officers, recipients of special education and speech services, they have struggled and excelled in classes,” she continued. “So over the years, I have become quite familiar not only with Fredonia’s fine teachers but also with administrators, counselors, coaches and service providers.”

LaGrow’s desire for the district to hire a student resource officer led her to attend board meetings, where she learned about other district issues.

“I believe in the integrity of our school board, and ask that the community place their faith in me that my votes and decisions will be both in the best interests of our children and fiscally responsible,” she stated. “You will find that I am honest and strong in my convictions, at times to a fault, but I also know how to listen and how to find fair solutions.

ANDREW LUDWIG

The longtime principal of Fredonia Middle School left his position effective June 30 after an agreement with the district.

“I had a blessed 33-year career working for the Fredonia Central School district,” Ludwig wrote. “As a retiree, it would be my continued honor and privilege to serve this community as a school board member.”

Ludwig ran as a write-in candidate during the last school board election and garnered more than 200 votes. “Others have shown their support with their spoken words, texts, letters and e-mails,” he said.

“Growing up, working and living in this school community, through five decades, has given me a unique perspective and a distinct skill set that will make me an excellent school board member,” he said.

Ludwig wrote he’s motivated to run because “This community is my family. I have a strong sense of duty to serve my community and my family.”

RICHARD ST. GEORGE

The recently retired administrator for the village of Fredonia was born, raised and educated in the school district, as were his sons.

St. George stated, “Creating an environment where everyone’ ideas are openly vetted and listened to without criticism is extremely important to finding solutions to our challenges. Criticism is a killer of ideas and stifles a dynamic problem solving environment.”

He said his 42 years of financial experience would be of value to the school district, “in order to continue the high value education that we have all become accustomed to here in our small village at a cost that the community can afford.”

St. George stressed the safety of children at school. “I think that having someone in every school for protection of our most valuable resource, our children, here in Fredonia and across the country should be a basic right and should be funded by our state and federal government as part of a basic need for education. I would enjoy being part of a community wide effort to bring this point home to elected officials.”