Conotton Valley board accepts Higgenbotham resignation

At the April 16 meeting of the Conotton Valley Board of Education, the resignation of board member Rob Higgenbotham was accepted.

At the opening of the meeting, Board President Curt Hanstine announced he had received a resignation letter from Higgenbotham, who was not in attendance.

Higgenbotham has served as a board member for Conotton Valley for more than a decade and, in his letter, stated that “it is with a heavy heart that I step down” from the position. He said the reason for his decision is “deeply personal” and that he would “always care deeply about this school and its success.” Higgenbotham was not available for further comment.

Superintendent John Zucal commented, “On behalf of the members of the Board of Education, I extend my gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Higgenbotham for his gift of time and contributions to our district.” No members of the board chose to comment publicly.

The board unanimously voted to accept Higgenbotham’s resignation, effective immediately.

During the superintendent’s report, Zucal advised that Josh Ulrich, fourth- and fifth-grade science teacher, has been named a candidate for the Ohio Teacher of the Year Award.

Zucal reported he had personally nominated Ulrich for the honor and that Ulrich is currently submitting information for the next step in the process, which is regional selection.

Zucal said he “truly believes he (Ulrich) meets and exceed all the criteria to be named Ohio’s Teacher of the Year.”

Other action

The board heard the bank balance report of $7,446,150.50 and approved expenses totaling $1,246,916.05.

The board approved a supplemental appropriation resolution for fiscal 2026 and an amended certificate of estimated resources for the same period.

Members approved Sedgwick as the third-party administrator for the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation from Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2027.

The board approved the transfer of $1 million from Star Ohio to the Unified Investment Account.

Members also approved the transfer of $5.5 million from the Unified Investment Account to Star Ohio.

The board accepted gifts and donations totaling $9,425.

Members approved a field trip request for a student in Life Skills to Aldi and Walmart April 7 and May 5 to practice shopping skills.

The board approved a field trip request for Student Council members to travel to Sherrodsville April 18 to perform community service by helping relocate the food pantry.

Members approved a field trip request for fifth- and sixth-grade students to attend the math tournament May 7 at Buckeye Career Center.

The board also approved a field trip request for seventh- and eighth-grade students to attend the math tournament May 8 at Buckeye Career Center.

Members approved a field trip request for fourth-grade science students to visit Carroll Electric May 21, pending confirmation from Carroll Electric.

The board approved a field trip request for the Empower Youth group to travel to the Friendship Center in Carrollton May 11 for the Empower Youth OPHA luncheon.

Members granted a continuing contract to Scott Minor, career/work readiness teacher, beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

The board approved four dock days for Tayla Berg, preschool aide, May 11-14.

Members approved paid maternity leave for Melissa McAfee, educational aide, from April 7-16 and unpaid leave from April 17-May 29.

The board approved the Student Accident Insurance Program underwritten by Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Co. for the 2026-27 school year. The policy is serviced by the Student Protective Agency in Mount Vernon.

Members approved adoption of the district cybersecurity program pursuant to Ohio Revised Code as stipulated in House Bill 96.

The board approved an agreement with Modern Office Methods for the purchase of district copiers in an amount not to exceed $59,500.

Members tabled approval, after discussion, of a three-year school photography agreement with Solid Rock Photos.

The board approved the following board of education policies: 3440, 4440, 4162, 4162.01, 5112, 5421, 5430, 6220, 6320, 6325, 6423, 6425, 6460, 7540.09, 8500, 8600, 8600.04, 8640 and 8650.

Members approved the temporary full-time employment of Kimberly Roy as an educational aide beginning April 27 through the end of the 2025-26 school year.

The board approved the addition of McKayla Nitz to the classified substitute list as a custodian, pending completion of all state and local requirements.

Members approved the following athletic supplemental positions for the 2026-27 school year, pending completion of all state and local requirements: Zeb Troyer, varsity boys basketball coach; Todd Sickafoose, assistant varsity boys basketball coach; Daniel Robinson, assistant varsity boys basketball coach; Curtis Love, junior high boys basketball coach; Brandon Johnson, junior high boys basketball coach; Brian Baxter, varsity girls bowling coach; Robyn King, assistant girls bowling coach; and Jesse Crilley, varsity wrestling coach.

The board also approved non-athletic supplemental positions for the 2026-27 school year.

Members approved a list of graduates for the Conotton Valley Class of 2026, contingent upon completion of all state and local requirements, as follows: Samuel L. Adam, Maddison M. Kelley, Austin M. Barker, Joseph A. Krawulski, Ava N. Bloom, Kate V. Lynn Liggett, Lillian Elizabeth Booth, Brianna Lynn Marlatt, Brody Michael-Edward Brown, Kyzer Maynard, Madalyn Danielle Burky, Autumn McGill, Micah A. Campbell, Cristian H. Moore, Zoey M. Campbell, Haley A. Parker, Addison Citro, Kaden Matthew Ramey, Jadzia N. Dingman, Aubrey Jean Reardon, Kaylee G. Eberhardt, Gretchin Kay Rolli, Taylor Marie Edie, Logan T. Slutz, Jenica Frutig, Ashtyn N. Walker, Gillian M. George, Joseph James Warner, Ashlynn A. Hammond, Whitney Anne Watkins, Gavin James Haney, Delilah Williams, Andrew William Herron, Kamden Wright and Isabella M. Higgins.

The board approved an agreement with Vasco Asphalt Co. in the amount of $375,000 to pave two existing gravel lots adjacent to the Rocket Center.

Members approved the following chaperones for the March 2028 band trip to Florida: Chris Boone, Jill Putnam, Shannan Boone, Brittany Sanders, Jennifer Case, Shanna Burky, Jean Siedel, Kristin Snyder and Lauren Hanstine.

The board tabled approval of a three-year contract with Gabe Tingle to serve as district treasurer at $100,644 for the 2026-27 school year.

The meeting adjourned to executive session to discuss public employment, with no action to follow.