OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Amy Witkowski, kneeling middle left, spoke on behalf of the CSEA as its President at a recent Board of Education meeting once a new contract was approved. Witkowski is pictured at the Special Olympics with Mark Putney’s class, where she served as an aide this past year.

Fredonia Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox was happy to announce an agreement with a group of district employees at a recent meeting that left both sides in a good position.

At a recent meeting of the Fredonia Board of Education, a new contract between the district and the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) was approved. The new contract will run through June 30, 2027.

“I think our progress was very well-organized. I think we stayed collegial, collaborative, and positive throughout those conversations, while still addressing some of the issues that were concerns on behalf of the association and on behalf of the district,” said Zilliox. “… I think in this situation, we have an agreement that both sides feel good about.”

Amy Witkowski, CSEA President, spoke on behalf of the CSEA at the recent meeting.

“Thank you, as a whole, to the Board for your support and approval of our contract,” Witkowski said. “This new contract is a great start in the right direction, showing our union members that we definitely matter. In fact, this contract was the first contract we’ve had that has passed unanimously.”

Zilliox said, of the contract, “I think the contract itself is going to position us to move forward in a positive direction, to continue our good work, and ultimately, put the students in our district in the best possible position to be successful.”

The district also approved a new transportation contract with First Student, beginning Sept. 5 of this year, through June 30, 2028.

Zilliox and Business Administrator John Forbes each stated that having a consultant supporting the district during the negotiations with First Student benefited the district. The district contracted Transportation Advisory Services to assist with negotiating a new transportation contract, at a cost of $17,500 – which comes with 74% reimbursement from the state.

“I think it was worth it to have them involved in the process,” said Board of Education President Brian Aldrich