Malvern Elementary to get new literacy coach through ReadOhio

The Brown Local School Board met Sept. 8, with member Nathan Bush absent.

Elementary Principal Christy Yeagley was also absent but asked High School and Middle School Principal Tim Babiczuk to deliver updates on her behalf. Babiczuk reported a strong turnout for “Someone Special” Day with 750 participants and said a Tom’s Coffee truck will visit staff and high school students Sept. 25.

Most notably, Superintendent Danielle Hawk announced that ReadOhio literacy coach Diana Enama will join the district for up to two years to support grades K through eight, with an emphasis on second grade. The position comes at no cost to the district.

Enama will collaborate with literacy specialist Stephanie McNutt, who will continue working with title staff and students with dyslexia. Hawk praised Enama’s prior success, noting she raised literacy scores in her previous district by 40 percent. Hawk said the coach will be an important addition, as Brown Local’s preliminary state report card gave the district only two stars in early literacy.

On behalf of the middle and high schools, Babiczuk reported that the district has already adopted the new cell phone policy outlined in Ohio Revised Code 3313.753, which does not officially take effect until January 2026. Students are now required to keep phones in lockers throughout the school day, rather than accessing them during non-instructional times. Babiczuk said the change has had an immediate impact.

“At lunch, students are actually talking to each other,” he said.

Board member Ron Ruegg shared updates from R.G. Drage, including a new state-of-the-art HVAC facility and plans to add driver’s education with state grants. The board is weighing whether to purchase vehicles and hire instructors or partner with an outside company. Ruegg stressed the importance of driver’s licenses for vocational students, many of whom already hold jobs or internships. He also noted the school faces a costly project to repair a collapsing sewer pipe running through the center of the building.

Hawk said the district anticipates a grand opening of the Wellness Center within the next two to three weeks, tentatively set for Oct. 30. The athletic facility is still awaiting lockers, and the turf project is scheduled to begin in three weeks.

In other action, the board:

— Approved minutes, financial reports and payment of bills for August 2025.

— Approved budget and purpose statements for the Book Fair and Excellence Committee for the 2025-26 school year.

— Approved a resolution appointing Hawk as suspension hearing officer.

— Approved Brian Ward as a classified substitute and Landon Waller as a daily building substitute at $120 per day.

— Approved supplemental contracts for Tim Babiczuk, Breyanna Buxton, Dan Clear, Shelby Combs, Jacob Foster, Adam Haught, Jeremy Maher, Kenneth Martin, Maysie Rogers, Keith Saunier, Kyle Stotzer, Travis Tucci and Taylor Zeiger.

— Approved extended time for Building Leadership Teams and Leader in Me Team members at the tutor rate.

— Approved after-school tutoring contracts for Renee Congo, Kelsey Johnston, Tiffany Smith and Heather Zuniga.

— Approved tuition reimbursement for Erin Abramides.

— Approved the updated board policy on Ohio model special education.

— Approved Kimberly Engle as a volunteer.

The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.