OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Two more employees have submitted resignations from the Fredonia Central School District. Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox spoke about each of them at a recent Board of Education meeting.

While voters strolled in last week to cast their votes for what ended up as a rejected school budget in the high school cafeteria, the Fredonia Board of Education was downstairs in the library conducting its regular meeting.

Two members of the district submitted resignations that were accepted by the Board. The first of two resignations ruled on by the Board pertained to Debora Tobio, a Teacher Aide at the Wheelock campus who intends to retire as of July 1. Wheelock Principal Amy Piper called Tobio “a kind soul” and spoke to her nurturing qualities with students.

“It is a huge loss. We’re all feeling very sad that Mrs. Tobio is leaving because she has been a big part of Wheelock. We’ll miss her very much,” Piper said.

“She’s awesome, always reliable,” said Director of Special Education Kristen Ferro.

Next was the resignation of Loretta Lucie, a Special Education Teacher who had previously retired from teaching. Lucie joined the district earlier this year to fill a vacancy. Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox thanked Lucie for her efforts with the district this year before two other administrators spoke to the impact she had this year.

“She brought a lot of great energy to us. Just a really unique perspective on things. and a great relationship builder,” Ferro said. “I am sad that she’s leaving us.”

Middle School Principal Jamie Polhamus also said Lucie has done “a great job building relationships” with students, their families, and fellow staff members this year. “We very much appreciated the work that she did while she was here,” Polhamus said.

Additionally, Ivy Krenzer was granted a one-year extension to the probationary period of employment with the district. Krenzer, a former tenured Science Teacher, later transitioned to a probationary position in the subject area of Technology. The tenure extension allows for more time for certification requirements to be met. The district expects Krenzer to be eligible for tenure sometime next school year.

The Board also approved the probationary appointment of Jeffrey Kubasik as a 12-month Cleaner. Shannon Moore was appointed as a non-certified Extended Leave Substitute, effective May 7. Per diem substitute teachers appointed by the Board at the recent meeting include Deborah Conner Weaver, Macy Short, Miranda Hitchcock, and Victoria Streicher. Nick Deszcz was appointed as a substitute Groundskeeper.

Cassie Farrell and Margie Wright were appointed as 504 Chairpersons. Maxwell Baxter was approved for observation/field work under the direction of Andrew Bennett, Fredonia Music Department Instructional Leader. An overage for Vince Gullo in the High School Physical Education Department was also approved, as well as two requests from the Cross Country program — an annual retreat to Lake Erie State Park on the week of Aug. 18 and an overnight trip to the pre-state meet at Queensbury High School on Sept. 13.

Also approved was a 31-day emergency transportation contract with Corvus Bus & Charter, Inc., from May 2 through May 31 from a foster family residence in Jamestown to Fredonia schools in the amount of $500 per day.

The Board declared the 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project as an unlisted action under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) with funding included in the 2025-2026 school budget. The 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project includes upgrades to the softball field, such as regrading and reconstructing the field, along with drainage improvements. Also included in the project are flooring upgrades in the elementary school. Of the total project cost, up to $100,000 is eligible for state aid at a reimbursement rate of 82.7%.

The next regular meeting of the Fredonia Board of Education is set for Tuesday, June 3 at 6 p.m., but the district could opt to schedule a meeting sooner to re-evaluate its options following the budget rejection. Visit the district’s Facebook page and official website for updates.