As the list of concerned coaches, parents and residents of the Fredonia Central School District grows, the pressure on the administration and Board of Education to take action continues to increase.

Approximately 50 guests filled the gallery at the latest Fredonia Board of Education meeting in the school’s library, where multiple residents spoke about athletic facilities and the safety of Fredonia’s student-athletes.

Amanda Tonelli, a Fredonia resident for the last 18 years and the parent of three Fredonia students, addressed the Board of Education first at its most recent meeting. She began by addressing the district’s poor athletic facilities.

Tonelli asked, “How do we as a community continue to fail our students year after year? In a district that prides itself on excellence, how are we delivering excellence for them?”

Amanda Tonelli, a Fredonia resident and parent, addressed the Fredonia Board of Education at a recent meeting regarding athletic facilities and safety of athletes in the district.

Despite what Tonelli called “dangerous fields” and “inadequate facilities,” she referenced the district’s recent athletic achievements. “These kids are creating Picasso-level art when we are giving them old pieces of chalk to work with,” Tonelli said. “Our community continues to disappoint them when they do anything but disappoint us.”

Also speaking at the recent meeting was Jesse Beers, a Fredonia teacher, parent, and longtime varsity softball coach. Beers addressed the topic at the recent meeting for the third time in the past year.

“We’re constantly trying to play catch-up. We’re looking around and seeing another district has done this, can we do that? … I don’t understand why we can’t try to be a leader instead of playing catch-up all the time,” Beers said.

Tonelli also highlighted nearby districts that have proposed or approved major improvements to athletic facilities. She stated, “At this point, nearly all neighboring districts are creating these opportunities for their children, while we stand on the sideline and collectively shrug our shoulders. Other districts are finding the resources. What are we doing to support these kids? … Are we unable to do it, or do we just not know how?”

Zilliox responded to Tonelli’s comments prior to the conclusion of the public comment portion of the meeting.

Jesse Beers, a Fredonia teacher and softball coach, spoke for the third time this year about athletic facilities at the district. Beers’ daughters Kazlin and Rylee were also varsity athletes at Fredonia before graduating from the district.

“We listen, we try to reflect, and then think about what needs to be done and how can we best move forward,” Zilliox said. “A lot of times, the things that come forward, we are in agreement with. How do we make them happen? Sometimes we need to think of them in terms of phases. It’s hard to necessarily address everything at once.”

Regarding safety concerns, Zilliox highlighted the district’s recent purchase of AEDs for each team.

“I don’t want to make it sound like we’re unappreciative of some of those changes that have come through. The AEDs could be something that’s potentially life-saving,” Beers said.

Zilliox also discussed the difficulty the district has had finding an athletic trainer. Zilliox referenced the shared services of a trainer through BOCES, like Dunkirk and Silver Creek share. He explained that BOCES has not found any interest in the position.

Zilliox also explained the district looked into per diem trainer services, but said, “that didn’t necessarily play out.”

Approximately 50 people filled the gallery at the latest Fredonia Board of Education meeting, where multiple residents spoke about athletic facilities and safety of Fredonia’s student-athletes.

The district also looked into hiring a full-time trainer, but after consulting with Jamestown Athletic Director Ben Drake, whose district recently hired a full-time trainer, Zilliox stated cost was a factor in not pursuing a full-time trainer. Zilliox stated the cost, after benefits, would likely be between $90,000-$100,000 annually.

“Over the time I’ve been here, we’ve prioritized supporting people in the classroom, trying to divert positions — as in people — to our classrooms,” Zilliox said.

Zilliox noted by not hiring a trainer, the district has added assistant coaching positions, as well as increased maintenance at the Orange Bowl football field.

Also in attendance at the recent meeting were multiple parents of current and former Fredonia athletes and coaches from various sports. Because of an assignment from the district’s government classes to attend a meeting, many student-athletes from multiple sports teams were also in attendance to witness the public outcry to prioritize their safety and well-being.

At a previous meeting, Susan Johnson, the mother of Fredonia football player Jameson Quinn, spoke about how her son suffered a concussion during a recent game. In that same game, another player, Davion White, was wheeled off the field on a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

Coincidentally, White was among the students in attendance at the recent meeting, as well, along with multiple assistant football coaches. Another Fredonia athlete, Ava Rukavina, was also in attendance after her senior soccer season ended due to a concussion.

Athletic Director Greg Lauer observed the meeting from the gallery, as well. So did former Brocton Athletic Director Marie Persch, a current Brocton elementary school teacher and coach, who spoke at the previous meeting of the importance of prioritizing the safety of student-athletes. A Brocton student-athlete died as a result of injuries sustained in a football game in 2013 while Persch was the school’s Athletic Director.

Zilliox addressed concerns raised at the previous meeting, as well, including inactive links on the district website to concussion management policies. Zilliox said, “No excuse on our end, they were correct that they were inactive. They were fixed the following day.”

Zilliox also noted that the district requested an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) be stationed on the sideline of the Homecoming football game last Friday. The district is paying a fee for the Fredonia Fire Department to supply an EMT for home football games.

“As a result of people coming forward and having their voices heard, we’re adjusting, we’re adapting, and we’re trying to do what we can to address those issues and make necessary changes,” Zilliox said.

Zilliox continued, “We’re working on it. We’re hearing you, and we’re listening, and we’re doing what we can to move forward in a positive and productive direction.”

The district also sent a reminder to its coaches on proper practices of injury management. Of recent significance, Girls Soccer Coach Cheryl Tabone tended to an injured player during Senior Night celebrations at SUNY Fredonia, rather than participating with her seniors and their families throughout the ceremony, because an injured player needed to be helped off the premises for proper injury treatment.

Tonelli concluded her public comments by stating, “We continue to fail these children in the community, and we cannot continue to do that any longer. We must show them we care deeply about their safety, and believe in their potential to thrive, in both body and spirit.”

The district will receive a presentation from Young and Wright Architecture at an upcoming meeting regarding a plan to improve district facilities. “Feel free to attend,” Zilliox said to the audience.