Fredonia Central Schools announced it had reached agreement with its largest union, the Fredonia Teachers Association, last month. In touting the deal, current Superintendent Brad Zilliox called the deal a “win-win.”

For those on the outside, who ultimately contribute to the payroll, Zilliox’s comments are tough to decipher. That is because other than the timeline, no other information was divulged during the meeting.

“We appreciate the fact that the FTA leadership and negotiating team kept a very positive, upbeat, professional, collegial mode in these discussions,” the superintendent said. “I feel like we’ve reached a fair agreement that works for the association, and also works at the district.”

But does it work for the taxpayers?

A lack of full disclosure of the deal at the meeting — and even after the OBSERVER asked for the details — becomes frustrating.

For the record, many village residents are already taking it on the chin when it comes to tax increases. In the spring, the municipality passed on a 54% hike and district residents also saw a rise after a second vote on the budget.

Contract transparency also is important when looking at the past. In 2015, the district payroll totaled $13.5 million. In 2024, it rose to $17.1 million — a 26.7% increase. Those expenses do not include the generous benefits.

Highly taxed residents are more than willing to support their school, as evidenced in the second budget vote. But they also deserve details on major contracts.

Almost two weeks later, that is still missing.