Conotton Valley approves new wrestling room, honors sheriff for school safety support

At the Nov. 19 meeting of the Conotton Valley Board of Education, members approved repurposing the Rocket Center’s Alternate 2 shell space into a wrestling and multipurpose room. Athletic Director Ed Marsh suggested constructing a pole building as an alternative, but Board President Curt Hanstine, an architect, said new construction would not be cost effective. Head wrestling coach Jesse Crilley supported using the existing space. The board also approved up to $49,500 for wrestling mats from Resilite.

Superintendent John Zucal recognized Carroll County Sheriff Calvin Graham for his department’s support of school safety and presented him with a certificate of appreciation.

The board heard an operating cash balance of $9,976,015.46 and approved expenses totaling $1,907,228.82. Members accepted $11,655 in donations from individuals, local clubs and the CV Booster Club.

Personnel approvals included certified and classified substitutes, part-time employment of Ace Waldron as a library aide, and several coaching appointments for the 2025–26 school year. Maternity and unpaid leave for Alyssa Dillon also were approved.

Numerous field trip requests were approved, including outings to Kent State Tuscarawas for Rising Scholars and the Leaders of Tomorrow Summit, science and ELA trips to the Performing Arts Center, a Cedar Point band performance, visits to Zoar and Fort Laurens, Business Professionals of America travel to Columbus, Student Council’s visit to Sunnyslope Care Center, a Scholar Challenge tournament, and community-based learning at Zoar Village. Additional Life Skills and student shopping trips were approved for activities-based instruction.

The board approved activity accounts, agreements with Kent State University, the Management Council of the Ohio Education Computer Network and several service providers, along with the adoption of federal information security controls. A $3,500 Whole Kids Foundation garden grant and a contract with Industrial Appraisal Company also were approved. Members adopted “The Things They Carried” for eleventh grade ELA and approved the 2026–27 academic calendar.

Penny Marshall was reappointed to a four-year term on the Bowerston School District Public Library Board of Trustees.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in the administrative conference room.