OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Wheelock School Principal Amy Piper spoke at a recent Fredonia Board of Education meeting, where she highlighted a Back-to-school Jamboree event and also credited a staff member, Kristen Vogt, on receiving tenure.

It’s never too late to recognize a well-earned achievement.

At a recent meeting, the Fredonia Central School District retroactively granted tenure to Kristen Vogt, a certified early childhood education teacher at the Wheelock School. Her tenured position was approved effective Nov. 10.

“Initially the tenure date was miscalculated … however that does not take away from the fact that Wheelock has been doing a great job … and Kristen has been a part of that,” said Fredonia Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox.

Zilliox noted Vogt has played a key role with crafting the district’s curriculum for Wheelock students. He also added that Vogt has proven to be a strong relationship builder with district families.

“We have an amazing Pre-K team and Kristen is a part of that,” said Wheelock Principal Amy Piper, who offered her congratulations after also highlighting Vogt’s ability to build relationships with students and their families.

Among the amazing things Wheelock has done recently is the Back-to-school Jamboree, which Piper presented a recap of at a recent Board of Education meeting. The Board expressed its support of the event in future years.

“This was everybody coming together to do what they felt like was a good event for our youngest learners to be able to come in and learn about school to be excited about coming to Wheelock,” Piper said.

Board of Education member Courtney Gullo said, “It was a fabulous night. It was a blast.”

Board of Education Vice President Steven Johnston added his personal experience as the grandparent of a Wheelock student. He stated the event eased his grandchild’s nerves about the first day of school.

“It was a fantastic, fantastic day,” Johnston said.

Also at the recent meeting, the district retroactively approved the resignation of Gina Accurso, French Teacher, who resigned effective Sept. 28. Another resignation, that of Jannett Cruz, Teacher Aide, was approved effective Dec. 19. Zilliox stated the retroactive approval of Accurso’s resignation was the district’s error.

The Board of Education also approved three probationary appointments: Krissy Pleszewski as a Teacher Aide; Brittany White as a Food Service Helper; and Elizabeth Ocasio as a Food Service Helper. All three appointments were effective immediately. Ann Johnson was approved as a per diem Substitute Teaching Assistant and Clerical Substitute, while Karen Carney was approved as a non-certified Substitute Teacher.

Substitute pay rates have been an item of discussion at previous Board of Education meetings. Zilliox stated that the district is evaluating substitute rates moving into the next calendar year. The district is targeting a resolution on the matter in the month of January.

“This has been a conversation through public comment, it has also been a conversation internally in the building with our faculty and staff, and also with our administrative team,” Zilliox said. “We struggle, like most districts, to have adequate subs. We recognize pay is a component and a variable involved in peoples’ decision to come to Fredonia and sub or not.”

The district is also continuing to evaluate bus routes departing from the Wheelock School. The district solicited feedback from the community through a survey and is reviewing the public response.

“We have not made a decision on this,” Zilliox said. “… The feedback from the community will be very important in that decision.”