From left, Frewsburg Central School District Board Member Thomas Fenton accepts an award for his years of service from Board President Mike LeBaron. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

FREWSBURG – A longtime Frewsburg Central School District Board of Education member was honored for his years of service.

For Thomas Fenton, a board member since 2005, Thursday was his last meeting as he is stepping away to spend more time with his family.

“Thank you for your leadership, vision, and enduring commitment to the students and families of Frewsburg Central School,” said Board President Mike LeBaron.

Fenton said he will miss the camaraderie.

“I’ve always had a good board to work with,” Fenton said. “We didn’t always agree, but we figured it out.”

“He was the cornerstone of the board for 22 years. His experience is hard to find,” LeBaron added.

The board also recognized Board Member Carrie Graham for her service and recognized Ex Officio Student Board Member, Lily Harvey.

In other business, the board heard an update about the Students For Equality Club.

In February, the board approved the club.

Club Adviser Lindsay Marzec said one of the goals of the club is to create a safe space for students.

Club President Alexis Culpepper said the club created a mission statement which went through about five or six drafts before club members voted on the final draft.

“Our mission as members of the Students For Equality Club at Frewsburg Central School District is to foster a safe, supportive space where not only tough conversations can occur, but practicing open-mindedness is a norm that is upheld through principles of respectful discourse and behavior,” the statement read.

Culpepper noted that club members visited 7-12 English Language Arts classrooms to introduce the club, and to open the conversation. She said the club holds bi-weekly meetings.

“We’ve expanded to 22 student members from grades seven through 11, and we’ve had six faculty members attend our meeting as well,” Culpepper said. “And we’ve started conversations with Student Council and National Honor Society to establish relationships and cooperations, because we feel like they can really help us kind of expand our mission and help develop it and spread it across a wider student body.”

The board approved an adviser position for the club for the 2026-2027 school year.

LeBaron said the mission statement was right on point. Marzec added that the statement was written by the students.

“That is really good,” LeBaron said. “So you should be proud of yourselves for that mission statement, and everything you just showed use, and what you’re doing – good stuff.”