Brisky, Carmello retire from Fredonia schools
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Two more fixtures of the Fredonia Central School District will not be returning next year. Margaret "Peg" Brisky, a School Secretary with 45 years of service to the district, and Melissa Carmello, an Elementary School Teacher with 38 years of service to the district, both recently submitted their retirement resignations. Brisky's retirement took effect July 19, while Carmello's resignation takes effect Aug. 1.
Board of Education President Steve Johnston paused as he read the first resolution in disbelief of Brisky's 45-year tenure with Fredonia. Brisky was one of the first people that Wheelock Principal Amy Piper met when she began at Fredonia, and right off the bat, she knew she was "a special person."
Brisky is credited with knowing every family, every student, and every community organization or business that has an impact on the district. Piper stated, "She has built a legacy, between her time at Wheelock and the Elementary School, that will be impossible to replace. Her smile, her kindness, and her sense of humor have made even the most anxious students and parents over the years feel at ease and comfortable knowing that they were taken care of."
Brisky is credited for taking new staff members under her wing to learn the ins and outs of the district. "I certainly appreciate all that she did," Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox said. "... I absolutely agree that she will be truly missed."
Elementary Principal Mark Drollinger stated that Carmello has "always been deeply committed to helping children become strong and confident readers." He commended Carmello for utilizing data to identify students' needs, as well as building strong partnerships with families.
One of those partnerships was formed with Board of Education member Kevin Martin, who highlighted that Carmello not only taught his wife, but also his daughter. Zilliox added that Carmello, like many of her fellow retirees, is supportive, nurturing, and kind to her students, while still pushing them beyond their comfort zone to make strides in their educational journey.
Another Fredonia Teacher will not be returning, as the Board accepted the resignation of Kaylee Eaton, Middle School Science Teacher, effective Aug. 29. The district also accepted the resignation of Abigail Mejia, Teacher Aide, and terminated Eileen Love, Food Service Helper.
The district held a moment of silence near the beginning of the meeting for Stepheney Lysek, a Teacher Aide at the Wheelock campus, who recently passed away. Zilliox said that he witnessed Lysek operate with grace, patience, and compassion in her role.