OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Steve Johnston was re-elected as President of the Fredonia Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year.

The conditions changed at a recent Fredonia Board of Education meeting, as the lights were off and the air conditioning was on as the Board took measures to increase its comfort level for its annual reorganizational meeting.

The board leadership, however, remained the same.

Before an audience of only the OBSERVER, the Fredonia Board of Education re-elected Steve Johnston as President. Lisa Fortna was also re-elected as Vice President. Johnston noted that he and Fortna “work well together and make a good team.”

Johnston was nominated for the role by Aaron Marshall, while Fortna was nominated by Sheila Hahn. Both Johnston and Fortna faced no opposition for their respective roles. They were elected unanimously by the members in attendance at the reorganizational meeting. Board members Courtney Gullo and Kevin Martin were absent.

Kate Hinds-Morrison was re-appointed as District Clerk for the 2025-2026 school year. Sheila Hahn was appointed as the Legislative Liaison for the Board of Education. All members of the Board will serve as Erie II BOCES Liaisons on a rotating basis.

The Audit Committee will consist of Board members Aaron Marshall, Courtney Gullo, and newly elected member Kevin Martin. The Policy Committee will be comprised of Martin, Fortna, and Jerry Kinney. The Facilities Committee is made up of Johnston, Hahn, and Kinney.

Four transportation contracts were approved by the Board for this summer. Two contracts are with WNY Bus Co., in the amount of $495.92 per day; while the other two are with First Student Inc., in the amount of $431.70 per day. All four contracts begin July 7 and end Aug. 15. A revised contract with Children’s Educational Services, Inc., for occupational therapy services for Summer 2025 in the amount of $10,206 was also approved.

Art supplies for the 2025-2026 school year was purchased from three vendors: School Specialty Inc. Bid East for $5,245.85; Dick Blick for $1,980.64; and Nasco for $354.34.

Lindsey Jerge was appointed as a part-time continuing substitute School Psychologist, effective June 27 through July 31, at a rate of $300 per day, not to exceed six days. Additionally, Peg Brisky was provisionally appointed to the role of School Secretary; Felicia Ellis was appointed as a substitute Teacher Aide; and Christopher VanCheri was approved for fieldwork alongside Fredonia teacher Laurie Brifu, beginning Oct. 20.

Laura Marx, Karen Harrington, Katie Krystofiak, and Stacy Dillenburg were appointed to the Special Education Extended School Year Program. The district’s High School Summer Program – spanning from July 7 through Aug. 7 – will include teachers Jenna Hockwater, Lori Zebraski, Zachary Forys, Alexis Schuman, Elizabeth Bumpus, and Lindsey Moon.

The district also submitted an Innovative Program Waiver application for the Wheelock Early Childhood Center to support the district’s new Special Education teaching position, filled by Jeni Wilson.

The Board accepted resignations from Brittany White, Food Service Helper, and Bradley Dankert, Lunch Monitor. Kristen Pleszewski was terminated from the role of Food Service Helper.

The Board tabled resolutions pertaining to the appointment of athletic coaches for the 2025-2026 school year to allow for further discussion and review.

The next meeting of the Fredonia Board of Education is Tuesday, July 22 at 6 p.m.