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Five Fredonia district members set to retire this year

OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Cindy Gloff, a paraprofessional at Fredonia Central School District, is set to retire at the end of the year.

Five respected members of the Fredonia Central School District are set to retire at the end of this school year.

At a recent Board of Education meeting, the district accepted the letters of resignation for the purpose of retirement from Douglas Prince, Director of Technology and Communication; Kathleen Sommer, High School English teacher; Darrell Waag, Middle School Science teacher; Andrew Pingitore, Computers/Mathematics teacher; and Cindy Gloff, Teacher Aide.

Members of the administration shared kind words for each of the five outgoing members of the district, beginning with Prince.

“What a kind, good spirited gentleman who just works hard and does what needs to be done to keep our technology moving forward,” said Fredonia Superintendent Brad Zilliox of Prince, who retires after five years in the district.

“Doug is just a ray of sunshine when he comes into a room. … I cannot speak enough about him as both a person and a professional,” said Dr. Margie Wright, Chief Officer for Curriculum and Human Resources.

Sommer leaves the district after 30 years of service. “I can’t believe she’s ready to retire,” said High School Principal Darrin Paschke, who not only worked with Sommer, but also went to school with her. “The same as those who went before her, she just kept the standards high and kids first place. I can’t say enough about her. She’s going to be missed.”

Waag has served the district for 32 years, as both a teacher and as a coach. “I think of him as a true professional, really a pro’s pro in the teaching profession as well as in the coaching profession,” said Zilliox.

“He’s someone who is a quiet leader, he is highly respected by his colleagues, parents, students, and administration. He loves what he does, still after all these years,” said Troutman. “He’s someone that we are going to have a hole when he leaves. It’s going to be really hard to fill that.”

Pingitore leaves the district after 29 years. “Anybody who spends a couple minutes with him can see and feel his intelligence,” said Zilliox. “He’s a unique gentleman that I think makes close relationships with some students who maybe often times don’t have as many connections within our district. I’ve appreciated getting to know him over the last couple years.”

Paschke joked that often times he had to explain to others what Pingitore was saying when they were classmates in college because of his intelligence. “I love the fact that he still sends me articles about statistics that I don’t necessarily understand,” Paschke joked. “I’m just going to miss him. I just expect to see him every morning as one of the first teachers in every day. He’s just a joy to have here and it’s going to be weird without him.”

Gloff retires after 11 years of service to the district. She leaves her role as a paraprofessional, as well as Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Secretary and Treasurer.

“We are really going to miss Cindy,” said Middle School Principal Paula Troutman. “It makes me sad that she’s leaving us because she’s the kind of person that we’re not going to be able to replace. We thank her so much for all she does.”

“She has the heart for those who struggle. She has taken kids into her home, she has spent time beyond the school day outside of school helping kids get what they need,” said Paschke. “She puts herself second place and the kids first place.”

Gloff attended the Board of Education meeting to address her exit and raised her issue of district compensation for her role.

“I want you to understand I have mixed emotions about retirement,” Gloff said. “… I truly love working with these kids and it is pretty well known that they are kind of fond of me.”

Gloff had an issue with being compensated below the hourly rate of most fast-food workers in the area. “It is sad to say that a high school kid can go to work at any of our fast-food venues and make more money than the vast majority of our aides,” Gloff said. “… If something goes wrong and I mess up, there is the real potential for harm to be done. … If I mess up in a fast-food job, someone’s fries get burned. … The person who is charged with the well-being of our children should be worth more than the ones who are pouring our $5 coffee every morning.”

She also raised concerns with how much training is required for the role of a paraprofessional and took exception to the title of teacher aide.

“I stayed here because I love the district, I love my coworkers, and most of all, I love the students,” said Gloff. “… I hope you consider what I’ve said here tonight and promote change moving forward.”

Gloff brought her issues forward to the Board of Education during public comment near the end of the meeting. She spoke for nearly 19 minutes.

“I’ve been sobered by what I just heard,” Board of Education member Tom Hawk said after Gloff finished speaking. “I think it took a lot of courage to bring that to us. … I really appreciate her courage.”

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