Courtney Gullo and Aaron Marshall served their final meeting of their terms on the Board, while students Katherine Fortna and Neshwan Arif vacated their seats just days before they were due to walk the King Concert Hall stage to receive their diplomas. Gullo served six years on the Board after a one-year appointment followed by a five-year term, while Marshall served a five-year term.

“It has been an honor to serve with both of you,” Board member Sheila Hahn said to Gullo and Marshall. “Your commitment, wisdom, and care have helped shape our school district in meaningful ways. You’re both diplomatic and reasonable, while also being passionate. … We will really miss your valuable perspectives, and you as people.”

Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox credited Gullo and Marshall for being student-centered throughout their service on the Board. He also noted that they each asked challenging questions over their terms and showed an interest in learning and understanding the district.

“Neither one of you are afraid to speak up. You listen, you discuss, you consider all options and possibilities, then make a decision. You are committed and concerned about classroom instruction, but also music, art, athletics, drama productions, clubs, coaching, and really take the whole child into account in your Board membership,” Zilliox said.

Outgoing board member Courtney Gullo

Zilliox added that Gullo and Marshall helped the district improve in several areas, including data, curriculum, finance and budget, as well as operating procedures, community outreach, and student support.

“You two have been such a strong foundation for the Board throughout your terms, and also helped maintain and set the example for really collaborative conversations,” Vice President Lisa Fortna said to Gullo and Marshall.

The two newest Board members to serve alongside Gullo and Marshall, Kevin Martin and Jerry Kinney, both credited their mentorship as fellow Board members. Kinney said that they helped him learn to be a better Board member.

Both Gullo and Marshall credited the leadership of the Board in recent years, as President Steve Johnston and Vice President Lisa Fortna took their Board leadership roles two years ago. “The changes in leadership that have come around the last couple years have allowed us to grow in really beneficial ways,” Marshall said.

Gullo said, “I thank you both for your leadership. I thank everyone for your teamwork.”

OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Student Board Representatives Neshwan Arif, left, and Katherine Fortna, right, recently attended their final meeting as Board members.

Hahn presented Gullo and Marshall with pins from the Chautauqua County School Boards Association to commemorate their service to the district.

Fredonia’s Board of Education was unique this year, as one of its student representatives, Katherine Fortna, served alongside her mother, Lisa.

Katherine Fortna, Fredonia’s Salutatorian, said it has been “a really amazing experience” to be a student representative on the Board of Education. The experience has helped Katherine Fortna “grow as a leader” before she moves on to Cornell University in the fall.

Arif expressed his appreciation to Zilliox and the Board for their support throughout the past year. Arif moved to Fredonia from Mobile, Ala., prior to his junior year. While he has only been in Fredonia for a couple of years, Arif said he believes his time in Fredonia will be “pivotal” as he moves forward in life.

“I’m really appreciative for the Board’s trust with this position,” Arif said. “I feel like I’ve grown a lot, and I’ve understood how our school works and how the school district works. There are a lot of logistics behind a lot of the decisions that are made. As a regular student, these decisions can’t be seen. Being on the Board, I got so much perspective.”

Zilliox said Fortna and Arif “both really advanced the position of Student Board reps.” Not only did the representatives speak of the positive aspects of the district at meetings and share survey data with the Board and administration – they also made an impact themselves. Fortna and Arif both advocated on behalf of the district’s proposed budget, which passed by a narrow margin, compared to last year’s budget that was voted down on the first attempt. Both students encouraged their classmates who were eligible to vote on the budget in May. This year’s budget vote had a record number of students voting in the election.

Fortna and Arif both had busy schedules this year, as they each were varsity athletes and members of several different organizations throughout the district. Still, Zilliox and the Board commended them both for how often they were present at Board meetings.

“On behalf of myself, the Board, the administrative team, and the district, we really want to say thank you both for your service,” Zilliox said.

Marieanne Fabiano and Keana Sherlock replace Gullo and Marshall on the Board of Education. Fortna and Arif stated their willingness to advise the new student representatives in the coming weeks.