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A well-respected teacher at Fredonia has made it known early that this will be her last year with the district. Fredonia High School Science Teacher Rhonda Lee recently submitted her letter of resignation to the district after 16 years at Fredonia.
"She's amazing. We're going to miss her – definitely a loss to the district," said Darrin Paschke, Fredonia High School Principal.
Paschke noted Lee's certification in both Biology and Chemistry, which he stated will be hard to replace. "She wanted to make sure that we had ample time and to let us know early so we could start looking, which I think is amazing on her part," Paschke said.
Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox called Lee "a very calming, levelheaded instructor who goes about her business in a very positive, professional and polite way."
Paschke also noted Lee's work ethic, stating she is one of the first people in the building each morning.
"She does all of the extra things, just because she knows it's good for the kids. That's been her bottom line, always," Paschke said.
Also among recent personnel moves in the district, three teacher aides were granted permanent appointment status: Jordyn Salgado, Christina Vazquez, and Tara Whitfield. Amber Powell and Summer Klug had their statuses with the district amended from long-term substitutes to full-time probationary positions. Samantha Heitz transitioned from teacher assistant to Secretary of Fredonia High School.
Christopher Fagan and Karen Case were appointed as certified extended leave substitutes. Fagan and Case were joined by Rebecca White, Ryan Bush, Alicia Kluck, Monica Perez, and Pamela Maslak as per diem substitutes for the district.
The district also approved the appointment of a handful of coaches for the winter sports season. Chris Kubacki takes over as junior varsity boys basketball coach, a role previously held by former Fredonia player Nate Shuart, who now holds the same role at Silver Creek. Fredonia also approved Billy Pittman and Keith Piper, a former teammate of Shuart's and the son of Wheelock Principal Amy Piper, as varsity boys basketball volunteer assistant coaches. Former US Olympic coach Alex Conti was appointed as a volunteer assistant coach for the girls wrestling program.