After Medina ends partnership, Lyndonville thanks district for collaboration

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2022 at 6:47 pm

Lyndonville seeks out potential shared programs with other districts

Contributed Photo – The combined Medina/Lyndonville players and coaches celebrate earning a share of the Section VI Class B1 soccer title after tying host Tonawanda 2-2 in double overtime in the title contest on Nov. 17, 2020. The sectional title was the third in the last nine years for the program that beat Tonawanda 1-0 in the 2011 final and Newfane 2-1 in overtime for the 2013 crown. Head Coach Steve Luksch’s squad includes Alex Barry, Zaric Boyce, Brandon Boyce, Aiden Burczyk, Jacob Corser, Nate Dillenbeck, Zach Fike, Brian Fry, Evan Harris, Miles Hartway, Roman Heinsler, Sam Kingsbury, Dan Mandujano, Jackson Moreland, Mason Moreland, Mason Nicholson, Aidan Owczarczak, Jack Rutkowski, AJ Seefeldt, Cole Seefeldt, Russ Stephens, Jack Whipple, Ricky Wood and Sebastian Zilempe along with Anthony Moule and Casey Winiecki who were not in the picture.

LYNDONVILLE – The school has issued a statement following a decision by the Medina Board of Education last week to end a partnership with the school musical, hosted by Lyndonville, and some shared sports teams, including boys and girls soccer.

Medina school officials said its auditorium has recently been upgraded and district staff want to lead a musical program in Medina. The two districts recently put on the musical Cinderella. The Lyndonville-Medina musicals have consistently been recognized by the Stars of Tomorrow for excellence.

The partnership started about a decade ago when Medina was grappling with deep budget cuts due to a reduction in state funding.

“Our collaboration with Medina for athletics and music has been beneficial, and our combined production of Cinderella was outstanding. I would like to thank Medina for their support throughout the years,” said Lyndonville’s Interim Superintendent Sharon Smith. “Lyndonville has sought out potential collaborations with other districts to maximize student opportunities and will explore our options to ensure student activities and extracurricular events are not impacted.”

Lyndonville will continue to have a musical with its own students. The district also expects to field its own boys soccer team and is discussing with Barker about a shared team, said James Zeliff, Lyndonville’s athletic director.

“We will announce plans as they are finalized and keep all stakeholders in the loop,” he said. “We are grateful for the opportunities we had with Medina, not only to be able to field teams, but also for our combined success, including the 2016 Football Division championship, the 2019 Boys Soccer League championship and the 2020 Boys Soccer Sectional Co-Championship.”