Minerva school board approves personnel moves, notes teacher’s planned retirement

Two certified substitutes were approved along with the upcoming retirement of a teacher at the November meeting of the Minerva Local Board of Education. 

The hires included Pamela Schmuck as a longtime substitute at Minerva Elementary School and Kristine Harris as a permanent substitute at the school. 

The board also approved the resignation of Michele Harris, a third-grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year, with 23 years of service to Minerva Local Schools. 

In other business, the board: 

— Approved Douglas Strawn, Marley Kukoleck and Ronald Jones as classified substitutes and a maternity leave for Aliah Imler beginning March 2026. 

— Approved a list of 2025 game workers and chaperones for the fall 2025 traveling classroom trips to Washington, D.C., and Niagara Falls. 

— Approved a College Credit Plus stipend for Stacey Peters for the current school year. 

— Approved the annual report of certification of standards governing types of foods and beverages sold on school premises. 

— Approved a memorandum of understanding with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees allowing payment to bus drivers at their hourly rate for up to two hours upon completion of the annual mandatory driver’s medical physical and/or off-site drug and alcohol testing. 

— Approved expenditures of $2,924,040.57 for October. 

— Heard School Superintendent Mark Scott congratulate the Minerva High School Drama Department on its presentation of "The Play That Goes Wrong" and the girls cross country team that placed fourth at the OHSAA state championships, as well as the boys team that placed sixth. 

Scott also noted that the Senior Service Day was very well done, with about 50 Minerva High School seniors and staff participating in the fall yard clean-up for Minerva area residents. 

He also thanked the staff and school resource officers for creating a safe school environment. 

— Set the next meeting for Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. at the administration building, when Board Member Susan Crawford will serve as president pro tem to preside over the organizational meeting.