Steve Johnston was elected as the new Board President at the annual reorganizational meeting of the Board. Johnston, the former Vice President, replaces Brian Aldrich, who remains on the Board. Lisa Powell Fortna was elected as Vice President to serve alongside Johnston.

Aldrich made the nomination to name Johnston as President. There were no objections from the Board and no other nominations. Aldrich highlighted Johnston’s experience as Vice President, along with his grasp on the role and its time commitment in his nomination.

Johnston thanked Aldrich for his leadership as Board President through the pandemic and the Board’s search for a new District Superintendent. He called Aldrich “a great mentor” over his time serving as Vice President, and joked that he will continue to rely on his expertise over the next year.

Referencing Aldrich’s attendance record, Johnston also joked he wished Aldrich had missed more meetings over the past three years he has served as a Vice President. Johnston recalled only one meeting Aldrich had missed in their time together atop the Board.

Lisa Powell Fortna is the new Fredonia Board of Education Vice President. She replaces Steve Johnston, who was named President.

Johnston joined the Board of Education in 2019 after a long career in education. He was most recently a High School Science teacher at Chautauqua Lake High School, while his wife, Lisa, taught Physical Education at Fredonia for 19 years before her retirement last year. Lisa Johnston was also the District’s tennis coach for many years, while Steve Johnston has served as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Fredonia Hillbillies varsity football team.

Fortna takes over as Vice President after being re-elected in the most recent election in May. Johnston nominated Fortna as Vice President, also with no objections from the Board and no other nominations.

“I appreciate the confidence, and I will strive to be the second half of what has been a very strong team,” Fortna said.

After Tom Hawk chose not to run for another term on the Board after 15 years of service, Fortna became the second longest tenured member of the Board, only behind Aldrich, who was elected in 2015. Aldrich’s current term expires at the end of next school year.

Aldrich remains on the Board as the Legislative Liaison, replacing Sheila Hahn, who also remains on the Board. The Board also welcomed its newest member, Jerry Kinney, who was elected to the open seat to replace Hawk. Fortna and Kinney received the most votes for the two seats up for election. Kate Hinds-Morrison was also reappointed as District Clerk.

The District also made its committee appointments. The Audit Committee will consist of Aldrich, Courtney Gullo, and Aaron Marshall. The Policy Committee will consist of Fortna, Kinney, and Gullo. The Facilities Committee, which is of particular importance with ongoing discussions regarding a potentially substantial Capital Project, will consist of Johnston, Hahn, and Marshall. Every member of the Board was appointed as a liaison to the Erie II BOCES Board.

The reconfigured Board of Education made its first notable decision of the year in raising the tuition rate for out-of-district students by 3.5% from last year’s figure. After Aldrich suggested raising the rate by the same increase of the overall budget, 5.13%, several other members of the Board favored a lower figure, such as a 2% increase, in line with the tax levy increase. The Board compromised by meeting halfway at a 3.5% increase, with Aldrich making the motion at 3.5%. Summer transportation contracts were also approved by the Board.