Dr. Colleen Taggerty

The Fredonia Central School District has named Dr. Colleen Taggerty as its interim superintendent starting Wednesday.

“The Fredonia Central School District Board of Education is pleased to have Ms. Taggerty step into the leadership role until our superintendent search process is complete,” said Brian Aldrich, Fredonia Central School Board of Education president. “Ms. Taggerty brings the skill set and a tremendous experience base to guide our school.”

Taggerty replaces former superintendent Jeffrey A. Sortisio, who served as Fredonia’s superintendent the past three years before accepting a superintendent position with the Eden Central School District.

“I am excited and extremely optimistic to take on the role of interim-superintendent for the Fredonia School District. I recognize the work to be done with a major focus being on the development of a COVID-19 Return to School plan,” Taggerty said. “During my interview with the Board of Education, I expressed my views regarding the importance of having multiple options on how to return to school and the importance of supporting all involved both socially and emotionally. The pandemic has hit us all but not all of us in the same way. Therefore, we must be prepared to address the needs of faculty, staff, students and our entire school community.”

As New York continues to reopen and the community remains anxious to hear what a return to school will look like, Taggerty said her priority will be to keep the community informed and involved.

“It is also critical that we are prepared to support all learners in the event of another outbreak. It is my hope that curriculum and assessment updates can be done in such a manner as to support at home learning in the event of another quarantine order or in the event that families do not feel comfortable having their children return to school in the fall; if in fact that will even be an option,” she said. “My plan is to work with the Fredonia School District employees, families, Board of Education and the extended community to provide the best options for all to return to school in a safe and healthy manner.”

Most recently, Taggerty served as the Olean City School District superintendent before retiring in 2017. Prior to, she held roles as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES; superintendent for the Ripley Central School District; and served in principal and assistant program manager roles with Cattaraugus, Allegany, Erie and Wyoming County BOCES.

“Ms. Taggerty’s leadership will be critical as the District prepares to bring students back in September after in-class learning ended in March,” Aldrich said. “We are confident Ms. Taggerty will work hard for what is best for students during this challenging transition back to the classroom.”