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The Wheelock school playgrounds are now open. After slight delays pushed the construction into the school year, students were welcomed on the Chestnut Street playground in late September, and the Main Street playground opened Oct. 7.
At the latest Board of Education meeting, Wheelock Principal Amy Piper spoke to how excited she was to see the Main Street playground open the following morning. She said the students were "so excited" and that they have been "waiting with bated breath" to enjoy the new equipment.
The upgrades to both playgrounds totaled approximately $1 million. The work is part of Proposition 1 of the district's 2024 Capital Project, which amounted to roughly $22.1 million worth of maintenance upgrades to the district. It resulted in a tax increase of 1.9% for district taxpayers.
Now that both playgrounds are open, the district plans to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony in the coming weeks in celebration. The district vowed that it would not keep children from accessing the playgrounds as soon as they were deemed safe and complete.
Also at the recent meeting, the Board welcomed seven of the district's new hires this year – Gabby Domenico, Laura Burnside, John Feldmann, Rachel Kofod, Kayla Orbaker, Paige Bernhardt and Dawn Stewart – to introduce themselves and discuss how the year has gone so far. The group collectively spoke fondly of the district's welcoming environment and the support they have received from their colleagues.
Dr. Margie Wright, Chief Officer for Curriculum and Human Resources, said to the group, "We're so excited to have you part of the Fredonia family."
The Board approved the temporary appointment of Kia Buchanan, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant, from Oct. 13 through Dec. 12. The Board also approved the hiring of Gabriela Matos-Dominguez as a non-certified substitute Teacher and substitute Teacher Aide, as well as Susan Styborski as a non-certified substitute Teacher Assistant.
SUNY Fredonia students were approved for observations with the district's Beginning Strings program with Alexandra Goff, Instrumental Music Teacher. Fredonia College Symphony Orchestra students were also approved to perform for the High School Orchestra students. Additionally, Jenna Einink was approved for fieldwork under the direction of Naomi Pierce.
Five transportation contracts with First Student were approved by the Board. The district agreed to utilize First Student to transport students to five separate destinations, including Fredonia Central School, Cassadaga Valley Central School, Randolph Academy, the BOCES LoGuidice Center, BOCES Hewes Center and Chautauqua Lake Central School, varying in cost from $444.61 per day to $583.01 per day, depending on the destination.
The Board also approved several fundraisers supporting the district's basketball teams and the music department.
The Board of Education meeting began with a moment of silence for Kathy Haines, a former School Secretary who recently passed away. Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox said that many members of the district had positive things to say about Haines, noting that she was "always very helpful and willing to get involved in whatever needed to be done" for the students of the district.
The next regular Fredonia Board of Education meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 6 p.m. in the High School Library.