OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Fredonia Board of Education President Steve Johnston favors a five-year term for Board members.

Two years after deciding against putting reduced board member terms to a public vote, the Fredonia Board of Education revisited the topic at its latest meeting. As it was two years ago, the Board was split on the matter.

Board President Steve Johnston was among the group of members to favor a five-year term on the Board, as he did two years ago. Board Vice President Lisa Fortna is among those who prefer a three-year term.

The Board is evaluating reduced term limits for several reasons, including a lack of interest and past commitment to the role. Several members of the Board were initially appointed to their seats to finish out the term of a member who resigned before the end of their five-year term.

In the years since the initial discussion, the Board has struggled to find members of the community interested in the role, leading to elections with very few candidates to choose from. Last year, Kevin Martin was the only candidate on the ballot running to replace Brian Aldrich. Two seats are up for election this year.

“Part of me thinks a three-year term might open the door for more folks to consider it because it doesn’t seem like such a significant commitment as the five-year term,” Fortna said.

Roughly three out of every four boards across New York State have three-year terms, while almost all of the remaining boards have five-year terms, like Fredonia currently does. If the Board were to pass a resolution to reduce the term length from five years to three, it would be listed on the ballot along with the 2026-27 school budget later this year.

The reduction to three-year terms would not impact the current terms of the Board that is already in place, nor the two seats that are up for election later this year. It would take effect next year.

Board member Courtney Gullo mapped out how a potential reduction from five years to three would impact the Board in terms of when seats are up for election in future years. Gullo stated that in her projection, no more than two seats would come up for election in the same year at any time in the near future. That was a concern of the Board two years ago when the matter was first discussed.

Johnston indicated he is open to changing his mind if the Board leans strongly toward a three-year term. Board member Aaron Marshall was “firmly” in favor of a five-year term two years ago, but indicated now that he is more inclined to consider three-year terms. Board member Jerry Kinney is strongly opposed to a three-year term because of the frequent turnover it would lead to.

Board member Sheila Hahn favors a three-year term, but said it is “not a hill I’m going to die on.” Hahn said that as an elected officer, she feels a duty to fulfill her commitment to the five-year term she was elected to. However, she highlighted that by having three-year terms, it could entice members to run for a second term, which would wind up in six years, rather than five, if re-elected.

The topic led to nearly 20 minutes of discussion at the recent meeting, with no action taken. The Board will revisit the matter next meeting to continue the conversation.

Also of note, at the recent meeting, the Board appointed Francis Martinez Morales as a Teacher Aide, while accepting Martinez Morales’ resignation as a Food Service Helper. Julie DePasquale was appointed as a Food Service Helper, and Colleen Paradis was approved for an increase in hours as Assistant Cook.

Jane Gens, a retired Brocton Physical Education Teacher, was appointed as a Certified Extended Leave Substitute in the Physical Education Department, effective April 13. Katherine Friend, Heidi Tressler, and Eric Vara were appointed as per diem substitutes. Brian Crawford was approved as a volunteer Varsity Softball Assistant Coach.

The Board approved a resolution for Cooperative Bidding through BOCES, as well as a resolution to enter into a data privacy agreement with the RIC ONE Risk Operations Center. Second readings of policies pertaining to the annual organizational meeting and absentee ballots were also held, while an updated list of Board of Education Operating Protocols was approved.

The Board nominated incumbent members Thomas DeJoe, David Lowrey, Christine Schnars and Jeff Chase to serve three-year terms on the Erie II BOCES Board, and Kimberly Higgins, of Springville, to a two-year term.

The district is also evaluating whether to change the date of graduation from its traditional Sunday ceremony to a Friday night event the final week of school. Student representatives Neshwan Arif and Katherine Fortna will seek feedback from the student body to further inform the Board before a decision is made.

The next Fredonia Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. in the High School Library.