Minerva school board approves resignations and personnel appointments

A separation agreement and two resignations were accepted at the Feb. 23 meeting of the Minerva Local Board of Education.

The separation agreement was approved with Tim Speakman, a Minerva High School physical education teacher, with a resignation effective June 30.

Resignations included Samantha Anderson, a recess aide, and Devon Patterson, assistant track coach.

In other personnel items, the board:

— Approved Valerie Slaton as Aultman Ambassador for the 2025-26 school year;

— Approved the following math tournament coaches and MES after-school tutors: Zach Gazdacko, Rebecca Kovach, Matt Fiegenschuh, Madison Foutz and Sean Kocher, all middle school; Lisa Anthony, Nikkie Wike, Autumn Thomas, Chelsea Oberly and Kathryn Reusser, all elementary school. All are to be paid a $175 stipend for preparing students for the March 7 math tournament;

— Approved the following Minerva Elementary after-school tutors: Olivia Howard, Delta Nichols, Brooklyn Clapham, Marley Kutcleck, Sydney Fetters and Susan Zifer;

— Approved Laura Keith as a bus aide;

— Approved Dan Fowler, Ricky Lautzenheiser and Sarah Moreland as classified substitutes;

— Approved the following supplemental contracts: Chandler Aldridge, special education department head; Fred Bigham, assistant softball coach; Zach Gazdacko, assistant baseball coach (3/4 stipend); Richard Hart, assistant baseball coach (9/16 stipend); Kenneth Lambert, assistant baseball coach (9/16 stipend); Ahdyn Lautzenheiser, assistant baseball coach (9/16 stipend); Brayden Costea, assistant baseball coach (9/16 stipend); Samantha Ganzalez, volunteer track coach.

Resolutions approved

— Approved renewing membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026-27 school year;

— Approved the 2026-27 school year College Credit Plus agreements with the University of Akron and Stark State College;

— Approved an agreement for internet services with the Stark/Portage Area Computer Consortium for July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027;

— Approved a May 26 International Circle field trip to the Gateway Clipper in Pittsburgh;

— Approved the bullying incident summary for the first semester of the 2025-26 school year;

— Voted to formally terminate membership in the Eastern Buckeye Athletic Conference effective at the beginning of the 2028-29 school year and that the district become a founding member of a new interscholastic athletic conference scheduled to begin competition at the beginning of the 2028-29 school year;

— Approved expenditures for January totaling $2,002,723.87;

— Approved the spring forecast update for submission to the Ohio Department of Education showing a deficit of $1,393,886 for fiscal year 2026.

Superintendent’s report

Regarding the financial forecast, Scott told the board:

“Over the past several weeks, Treasurer Beaumariage and I have had the opportunity to conduct rightsizing work sessions with administrators and school board members in response to funding cuts, deficit spending and declining enrollment. Principals have started communicating with staff on strategies and staffing adjustments to ensure long-term financial sustainability for Minerva Local Schools.

“We will continue to make adjustments and reduce personal costs through attrition when possible, while maintaining outstanding student-centered programming and experiences. There will be no Minerva Local employee reduction in force this spring for Minerva Local Schools.”

During Scott’s administrative update, he extended congratulations to the Minerva High School band for an outstanding Feb. 12 concert; the Minerva girls varsity bowling team for reaching the OHSAA district championships and placing fourth; and Owen Frazier, who qualified for the district meet.

He noted Nora Milano, winner of the 2026 middle school spelling bee, will represent Minerva at the regional spelling bee March 27.

Scott also extended congratulations to Minerva High School juniors Fox Johnson and Kayden Knappenberger for representing Minerva High School at the 2026 RYLA — Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

The next meeting was set for Monday, March 26, at 6 p.m. at the administrative office.