Brown Local board honors students, accepts teacher’s resignation

The Brown Local School Board met Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Malvern Elementary Principal Christy Yeagley opened the meeting by honoring Students of the Month for the second nine weeks: Weston Carpenter, Avery Cunningham, Colton Cunningham, Lilli Hyde, Ady Hyde and Kennedy Babiczuk. Yeagley called each student up individually and read notes from classroom teachers praising their character, effort and academic achievement.

“Thanks for raising such wonderful kids,” Yeagley said. “We are very proud of them at Malvern Elementary, and you should be proud of them, too.”

An additional agenda item — the resignation of fourth-grade teacher Llyn Simpson — was added at the last minute. Before accepting the resignation, board members and administrators recognized Simpson’s 32 years of service to the elementary school. Several Brown Local graduates in attendance recalled sitting in her classroom as children, noting her long tenure and loyalty to the district. The board wished her well in retirement.

Legislative action was followed by division reports.

Speaking for the elementary school, Yeagley thanked Jack Skidmore, Jeneva Ford and Kelsey Johnston for a successful winter show. Yeagley also announced the school will welcome back Kason Fisher on Feb. 26, saying he is now cancer-free.

Middle School/High School Principal Tim Babiczuk said five senior athletes participated in the Inter Valley Winter Leadership Conference at Tuscarawas Valley High School. The speaker was Mike Gallina, who has been inducted into the athletic halls of fame at Minerva High School and the University of Mount Union. Another conference will be held in the spring, Babiczuk said.

Babiczuk also said students accepted to R.G. Drage met with an adviser from the University of Akron to better understand college education options.

Superintendent Danielle Hawk addressed the issue of snow days in her report.

“We did have eight snow days, but we are still well within our hours,” Hawk said.

Hawk said the middle and high school cheerleading teams competed in the IVC cheer competition, with both teams placing second.

“That’s the first time our middle school cheerleaders ever placed,” she said.

Hawk also followed up on the district’s recent “Data Day” with Dr. Tom Fry. The day concluded with an Each Child on Track meeting focused on attendance data and intervention strategies.

In other matters, the board:

— Approved the Jan. 13 meeting minutes, financial reports and payment of bills totaling $612,192.52.

— Approved the credit card report.

— Approved a $50,000 cash advance from the general fund to the food service fund.

— Approved a $50,000 cash advance from the general fund to termination benefits.

— Approved Brown Local Schools’ membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

— Heard and approved the five-year forecast.

— Approved classified staff member Shelly Showalter for the 2025-26 school year.

— Approved a memorandum of understanding between Brown Local Schools and Stark State College for College Credit Plus services.

— Approved a memorandum of understanding between Brown Local Schools and the University of Akron for College Credit Plus services.

— Approved student-teacher stipends for Keri Browne ($125.50), Jenna Wagner ($207) and Gabrielle Wallace ($207).

— Approved Ashley Seifert as an after-school tutor at the regular tutor rate.

— Approved supplemental contracts for Noah Albright as junior high basketball coach and Tyler Banta as fifth- and sixth-grade wrestling coach, pending completion of pupil activity permits.

— Approved an Each Child on Track stipend of $2,000 for Katie Spencer for structured literacy certification.

— Approved an out-of-state trip for Malvern wrestling to Virginia Beach from March 26-30.

— Approved the Brown Local Schools 2026-27 calendar.

— Accepted Simpson’s resignation.

— Entered executive session.