OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Sheila Hahn is the new Vice President of the Fredonia Board of Education. She takes over the role from Lisa Fortna, who nominated her for the position.

For the third consecutive year, Steve Johnston has been chosen as the Fredonia Board of Education President. He was re-elected by his fellow Board members at the annual reorganizational meeting earlier this month.

“Thank you for your confidence in me. I appreciate it,” Johnston said to the Board.

Johnston was nominated by Kevin Martin for the role of President. He was the only nominee by the Board.

Once Johnston was re-elected, the Board chose a new Vice President. After what Johnston called “two wonderful years” of leadership together, Lisa Fortna nominated Sheila Hahn to take her seat as Vice President. Like Johnston, Hahn was the only member of the Board nominated for Vice President.

Kate Hinds-Morrison, Secretary to the Superintendent, was re-appointed as District Clerk for the 2026-27 school year. Hahn volunteered to serve as the Legislative Liaison for the Board. All members of the Board will serve as Erie II BOCES Liaisons for the district.

Johnston, Hahn, and Martin will serve as members of the Audit Committee. Lisa Fortna, Jerry Kinney, and Marieanne Fabiano were chosen as members of the Policy Committee. Martin, Kinney, and Keana Sherlock will serve as members of the Facilities Committee.

Fabiano and Sherlock, the Board’s newest members, replaced Courtney Gullo and Aaron Marshall on the Board. Also of note, Nick Bertrando was re-appointed as Fredonia Athletic Director for the 2026-27 school year.

The district’s Vision Statement and Code of Ethics were approved by the Board. The Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special

Education were approved, along with the appointment of Surrogate Parents for Special Education Students, Impartial Hearing Officers, and Dignity Act Coordinators.

The Board conducted readings for five policies, including the Notification of Disclosure of Employee Disciplinary Records, Home Instruction (Home Schooling), Social Media Use, and Acceptable Use policies for both students and personnel. A resolution was also passed pertaining to the retention and disposition of district records.

The Board awarded a bid for the general contractor for Phase 2 of the 2024 Capital Improvement Project, pertaining to generators at the main campus and Wheelock campus to Stark Equipment, LLC, in the amount of $296,805. With bonds not required for equipment, $5,640 is cut from the cost, bringing the total amount to $291,165.

Contracts were also awarded to Children’s Educational Services, Inc., for Summer 2026 occupational therapy services at a cost of $7,236, and physical therapy services at a cost of $1,206. Art supplies bids for the 2026-27 school year were awarded to School Specialty Inc. Bid East in the amount of $4,545.98, and to Dick Blick in the amount of $4,976.83.