Jan 13, 2025
OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Fredonia Varsity Flag Football Coach Nick Bertrando speaks to players during a game at the Orange Bowl last year.
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- OBSERVER Photos by Braden Carmen Fredonia Varsity Flag Football Coach Nick Bertrando speaks to players during a game at the Orange Bowl last year.
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- Fredonia Board of Education member Sheila Hahn moved to table a proposal for the district to launch a modified flag football program at a recent meeting.
The recent capital project voting results at Fredonia have now led to some of the district’s strongest advocates being forced to make hard choices at the expense of Fredonia students.
At a Board of Education meeting last week, the Board tabled a resolution that would have approved the launch of a modified girls flag football program. Sheila Hahn, one of the most outspoken members of the Board in favor of supporting athletics, pulled the item out of the consent agenda at the meeting for further discussion before moving to table the matter.
Hahn referenced how the community did not approve all three portions of the capital project proposal before she made the first statement from the Board in opposition to the pilot program at that time. Stating the need to make improvements to playing conditions with the funds the district already has, without the support of a capital project, Hahn said, “Until we speak with Young and Wright regarding possible alternatives to our capital project, I don’t feel comfortable approving another sport.”
Zilliox called the proposed pilot program a “unique opportunity” that was presented with support from the Buffalo Bills. Grants are available for schools to launch or expand flag football programs across the state. With a varsity team already in place, Fredonia hoped to expand to the modified level, as well.
Now, those plans are on hold while the Board awaits more information from its architects with Young and Wright, as the district regroups following Proposition 3 of the capital project being voted down. Proposition 3 would have entailed a multi-sport turf athletic complex that could have housed future games.
Fredonia Board of Education member Sheila Hahn moved to table a proposal for the district to launch a modified flag football program at a recent meeting.
Hahn first asked about what the program would cost, especially in future years after the pilot program is launched with the support of grant funding. In future years, coaching positions would need to be added through an agreement with the Fredonia Teachers’ Association. Superintendent Dr. Brad Zilliox said that would “substantially increase the cost.”
Lisa Powell Fortna followed Hahn’s comments by agreeing with her stance on tabling the matter until a later date. “I think we have some due diligence to complete first, so I would support tabling this motion until we have more information on next steps,” Fortna said.
Aaron Marshall later agreed with the decision to table the motion. “I don’t think in good faith right now I can say I would support that program. That kills me to say that. This is a new program, I don’t know where they would play, I don’t know how we would pay for this,” Marshall said.
Aside from roughly $10,000 each year to sustain the program in the future, playing condition concerns were also raised by the Board. A focal point of the capital project proposal was centered around creating a new, safe field because the current facilities are considered by many to be unsafe. Adding another team to the mix only amplifies those concerns.
Board President Steve Johnston acknowledged, “The Orange Bowl is under stress. Adding another team on that field could be really problematic.”
Courtney Gullo said the district is in a “unique situation” after the capital project proposal failed to pass athletic upgrades. “We don’t know what the future holds. The reality is that it’s a safety concern. I wish that we were trying to improve the fields just to have a little luxury, but we are trying to improve the fields because of safety concerns,” Gullo said. “We can’t dismiss that. I agree that we have to see, what direction are we moving in? Then, we revisit this.”
Zilliox responded to the Board comments by saying, “There were decisions made by adults in the community. I don’t want to see them negatively impact the students in our district. … I would like to think that we’re trying to offer as many opportunities as we can.”
Zilliox later stated that even if the project was approved by voters, the concerns about unsafe playing conditions could still exist until a new facility was built.
Fortna later emphasized the Board’s decision was “a pause” on the proposal, rather than an outright rejection. The Board will revisit the proposal at a later date after speaking with Young and Wright regarding potential solutions to unsafe playing conditions throughout the district.
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