Jeff Sortisio is leaving Fredonia for the Eden Central School District.

OBSERVER Staff Report

The Fredonia Central School district is looking for a new superintendent.

Jeffrey Sortisio, who was hired by the district in June 2017, has resigned to take the top position in the Eden Central Schools. “Congratulations to Mr. Sortisio,” said school board President Brian Aldrich. “We were moving in a good direction and I wish him well. Eden will have a very good superintendent.”

Sortisio’s 24-year educational career began as an in-school suspension/detention monitor at Cleveland Hill Middle/High School in Cheektowaga. From there, he acquired additional educational experience while serving as a middle/high school counselor for seven years and as a high school assistant principal for four years in the West Seneca Central School District.

In 2008, he took over as the principal at Frontier Central High School in Hamburg and held that role until taking the post in Fredonia. Once he arrived, however, he found himself surrounded by controversy. One issue regarded a cross-country coaching decision and later the removal of a middle school principal. He also saw through a recent capital project, that has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Aldrich said for now the board will finish work on the 2020-21 budget and start a search for a new superintendent that will be led by Dr. David O’Rourke, Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Educational Services superintendent. The board also expects to appoint an interim school chief later.