Conotton Valley school board holds organizational meeting

The Conotton Valley Board of Education held its annual organizational meeting Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Superintendent John Zucal facilitated the meeting, with new Treasurer Gabe Tingle in attendance.

Tingle is a graduate of Marietta College, where he earned Dean’s List honors and represented the college at the Naval Academy Leadership Conference. Before coming to Conotton Valley, he completed an internship at Indian Valley Local Schools, where he assisted the treasurer with accounts payable, vendor management and payroll.

Zucal administered the oath of office to new board members Nicole Bower and Shawn Leggett. Returning board members Curt Hanstine, Rob Higgenbotham and Logan Putnam also took the oath as a recommitment to their roles.

Hanstine was re-elected board president for 2026 and Putnam was re-elected vice president.

Before approving the consent agenda, the board approved a $1 per hour raise for Assistant Treasurer Mary George and a 25-cent per hour raise for Secretary Terry Beckley.

The board re-adopted existing bylaws and policies and set regular board meetings for the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the administrative conference room.

Additional organizational actions included appointing building principals as supervisors of student activity accounts; naming the superintendent as purchasing agent and Title IX control officer; authorizing the superintendent and treasurer to apply for grants and sign documents as needed; and authorizing the treasurer to invest interim money, serve as signatory for payroll and warrant checks, borrow up to $200,000, request tax advance draws and pay bills when due within appropriations.

The board also established a $10,000 service fund, approved bonds for the superintendent, board president and treasurer, and set board member compensation at $60 per meeting, not to exceed 15 meetings per year. Mileage reimbursement for 2026 will be paid at the IRS approved rate.

The Times-Reporter was designated the district’s official newspaper. The board also approved Pepple & Waggoner as general legal counsel and Bricker & Graydon as construction counsel.

Committee and representative appointments were also made for the year, including appointing Putnam as the Ohio School Boards Association delegate and Leggett as alternate. Higgenbotham will continue as the Buckeye Career Center representative.

The next regular meeting will be held Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in the administrative conference room.