Submitted Photo Wheelock School Principal Amy Piper smiles during the Back to School Jamboree event prior to school opening in the first week of September.

Wheelock Principal Amy Piper thanked the Board of Education at a recent meeting for two changes approved in the past year that are already benefiting Wheelock School. The addition of a Pre-K Special Education Teacher, Jeni Wilson, has allowed for students with special needs to more effectively integrate with their peers.

Additionally, the reconfigured bus routes that included a Wheelock exclusive bus run has dramatically improved the process for students at Wheelock.

Piper, like her fellow principals at the district, completed a successful opening week earlier this month.

At the recent meeting, each principal spoke positively about the opening of their respective buildings. Piper celebrated the Back to School Jamboree as a positive event to foster relationships between families, the school district, and community sponsors.

At the High School level, Principal Ron Tonelli spoke highly of the Leader in Me program and the 8-12 students participating as part of the district’s Lighthouse Team. The district is looking to foster leadership among its student body. “I think we’re doing a pretty great job of getting it off the ground at the beginning of the year, and then continuing on through the year,” Tonelli said.

Several personnel moves were approved by the Board of Education at its recent meeting. Among the new hires include Teacher Aides Miranda Hitchcock, Isavette Rodriguez, and Rachelle Cook; Food Service Helper Kathleen Buchanan; and Kathy Wright as Assistant to the Tax Collector with a stipend of $950 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Deb LaBarr was approved as a Certified Extended Leave Substitute. Laura DePue, Beth Merwin, Theresa Nobles, and Riley Lokietek were approved as certified per diem substitute teachers. Noah Tarbell was approved as a classified food service helper. Katelyn Falkner resigned as a Teacher Aide. Jon Maternowski takes over for Mary Williams as High School Musical Lighting Director. A series of intramural instructors also received Board approval.

Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox highlighted the importance of “all positions across the district” and thanked all of the employees on the agenda for the work they do. “Know we value your work and we appreciate you being part of the district,” Zilliox said.

Additionally, Colleen Paradis was approved to transition from the role of Food Service Helper to the new role of Assistant Cook. Piper commended Paradis for her kindness and patience with the district’s youngest students and expressed confidence in her ability to take on a new role.

The Board also approved several contracts at its recent meeting, including a contract with Hearing Evaluation Services of Buffalo for audiology services; an agreement with Buffalo Hearing and Speech for music therapy, speech language therapy, and occupational/physical therapy services; and an agreement with The Resource Center for job coaching services. Two transportation contracts were also approved, in the amount of $432.31 per day for transportation to BOCES Carrier Center, and in the amount of $706.08 per day for transportation to Summit Academy.

Collective bargaining negotiations with the district’s Teachers’ Association and the support staff are ongoing. Zilliox characterized the discussions as productive, positive, respectful, and professional. He noted the agreements are “getting closer” to being finalized. The Board entered into executive session to discuss collective bargaining agreements at the end of the meeting.

The next meeting of the Fredonia Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the High School Library.