Conotton Valley board hears elementary initiatives, tax update

At the Dec. 17 meeting of the Conotton Valley Board of Education, Elementary School Principal Carl McCrory reported on initiatives underway at the elementary school.

McCrory said he is focused on “building the positive” and highlighted several programs, including postcards for good behavior, the Jump Start initiative and the summer reading program. He thanked the board for supporting the addition of extra reading staff, which helped extend the reading initiative to preschool. That effort, he said, increased the percentage of students testing on level from 78 to 98%.

During the superintendent’s report, John Zucal updated the board on Rover tax litigation.

Zucal said Rover filed a new case Nov. 10 contesting its assessed valuation for post-2019 tax years on both Ohio and U.S. constitutional grounds. He called the appeal “as expected” and said he believes “Rover is finding a way to delay payments” because the company is “salty over the Supreme Court’s decision.”

In other action, the board:

— Heard the bank balance reported at $9,383,622.55 and approved expenditures of $936,637.36.

— Approved an amended appropriation resolution and an amended certificate of estimated resources for fiscal year 2026.

— Accepted gifts and donations totaling $1,675, including $120 from the PTO to the Elementary Principal’s Fund, $1,455 from Kevin Neidig to athletics and $100 from Leslie Edie to boys basketball.

— Approved the appointment of Curtis Hanstine as president pro tem for the Jan. 7, 2026, organizational meeting at 7 p.m.

— Approved the IRS business mileage rate to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, once released. The current rate is 70 cents per mile and is expected to increase slightly.

— Approved round-trip mileage distances.

— Approved adding Makaila Ebersbach to the certified substitute list for the 2025–26 school year, pending completion of all state and local requirements.

— Approved a facility use and rental agreement with Crystal Polen for the auxiliary gym and cafetorium on Friday, Nov. 21, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a birthday party.

— Approved adding Juan Addison Gautier to the certified substitute list for the 2025–26 school year.

— Approved a field trip for the CV Wish Squad to Walmart in New Philadelphia on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.

— Approved a field trip for eighth-grade students to Buckeye Career Center for the eighth-grade carnival.

— Approved and accepted the results of the regular financial audit conducted by Balestra and Company, PLLC, as reported Dec. 8, 2025.

— Set the 2026 organizational meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Rocket Center conference room.