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Board tables Buffalo Bills-funded pilot for girls modified flag football over field-safety and cost questions
Summary
The board tabled a Buffalo Bills Foundation grant-funded pilot for a girls modified flag-football team, citing uncertainty about field conditions (Orange Bowl), transportation and ongoing coaching costs; trustees asked the facilities committee and architects to evaluate alternatives before reconsidering.
The Fredonia Central School Board on Jan. 7 tabled a proposal to accept a Buffalo Bills Foundation grant to start a pilot girls modified flag-football team, after members raised concerns about where the program would play, transportation and ongoing staffing costs.
Superintendent Dr. Zilloz summarized the pilot as a Buffalo Bills initiative that provides grants in $3,000 increments to start or expand flag-football programs. Staff said the first year would be a pilot with minimal coaching costs if operated as an intramural, but future seasons could require a new agreement with the FTA and paid coaches, which would increase district costs substantially.
Board members repeatedly cited the current state of the Orange Bowl field and the broader failure of two propositions tied to field replacement, arguing the district must assess safety before adding new teams. One trustee urged the board to pause until Young and Wright (the district's architects) and the facilities committee can identify playable, safe alternatives and transportation arrangements.
"We need to at least explore that, before we can move this forward in good faith," a board member said. Several other trustees agreed, referencing the recent capital-vote results and depleted capital reserves, and recommended tabling the decision until the facilities committee meets and architects provide recommendations.
The board voted to table the item; members asked staff to check the Bills grant deadline so the district can act if necessary after the facilities review.
