From left, Frewsburg Central School District Board President Larry Lodestro and Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle discuss matters Thursday. O’Boyle announced she is retiring. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

FREWSBURG — After seven years, Frewsburg Central School District Superintendent Shelly O’Boyle is calling it quits.

In a letter to the school board dated Jan. 10, O’Boyle stated her last day is March 7, and her retirement will begin March 8. Her current contract is effective from July 1, 2021, until June 30, 2026. The board accepted and agreed to the full and mutual termination of the current contract, it said in a written statement.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation for the seven years of support that you have given me. It is with mixed emotions that I submit this resignation letter. I have had such a wonderful tenure here at Frewsburg with the trifecta- supportive Board, excellent admin, faculty and staff, and great students and families, that it makes leaving very difficult. This has been such a rewarding journey. I am proud of the work done over the past seven years and am grateful that you hired me to run this fabulous district,” O’Boyle wrote.

The board, however, has expressed its hope and desire to employ O’Boyle with the district as the district was pleased with and appreciative of her work for the last seven years. The board said it will appoint O’Boyle as the interim superintendent from March 9 until June 30.

“Please know that I will finish this school year as though I am returning for the 2024-2025 school year so that everything will be in place for my successor. I look forward to being the interim superintendent until at least June 30, while you complete your search. I will also provide any assistance that is needed to make this transition as easy as possible,” O’Boyle continued.

The board said it was concerned about its ability to locate and hire a qualified individual to fill the superintendent position with the district, so, to help with the search, the board will appoint Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES Superintendent Dr. David O’Rourke as the search consultant.

Board President Larry Lodestro released a tentative timeline of events for the superintendent search.

— Feb. 2: A vacancy brochure to be published

— March 15: Application deadline

— April 9: O’Rourke to meet with Frewsburg board and interview team

— April 16, 17, 18: Preliminary interviews

— May 13, 14, 15: Final interviews

— June 1: Board to appoint new superintendent

— July 1: New superintendent to begin

“We had a good one (superintendent) here,” Lodestro said of O’Boyle’s time in the district.

Board member Jason Ruhlman shared similar thoughts. “Thank you for everything.”

Lodestro added that there is a ThoughtExchange survey link on the Frewsburg CSD website, frewsburgcsd.org for all community members (faculty, staff, parents, residents, students, and business owners) to provide input on the search for a new superintendent.

Participants in the survey, Lodestro said, are asked to share their ideas in response to an open-ended question. All ideas are shared confidentially. Once participants have shared their own ideas, they are asked to rate the thoughts that others have provided on a scale of one to five stars based on how much they agree with the idea or how important they think it is. If for any reason you are unable to access the link to submit your thoughts, you may visit Laura Smith at the Frewsburg District Office for assistance.

The survey link will be available until Jan. 29. The board will review all the responses to the community survey, and appreciates the input received about the district’s needs for the next superintendent, Lodestro noted.