Marlington board approves LRO agreement, honors band students

The December meeting was relatively short and had no major issues brought forward. Under new business, the board passed a motion approving an agreement for deputies Mike Collins and Miller to continue serving as Marlington Local Resource Officers for the 2025-26 school year. The board also reviewed, at this time only, the draft calendar for the 2026-27 Marlington Local School District. In addition, members approved six personnel motions without discussion, including two certified and classified retirements, two certified and classified resignations, one supplemental employment motion for the current school year, and one extended-days motion.

Superintendent Dan Swisher recognized six members of the Marlington band who performed in the University of Akron All-Star Band alongside 37 of the top high school band students in the region. Representing Marlington were Meagan Dennison, Emma Byers, Jacob Dean, Owen Wright, Colton Lane and Morgan Hoopes. Swisher congratulated the students on the achievement.

Swisher also noted the Rotary Christmas Luncheon, which included 10 students from each elementary school, and a Christmas in Marlington event held Dec. 8 at Grace Community Church, where parents were able to shop for their children at reduced prices. Multiple families participated in the event.

Under old business, the board approved, following a second reading, resolutions from a special update of a transportation supplement.

Treasurer Bob Foss reported the cash balance at the end of November was $9,564,162.97. He said the final payment of more than $170,000 for the high school roof replacement had been made and that a grant of $8,041.76 was received to help pay for a snow brush for sidewalks at the high school and middle school.

The board also recognized Students of the Month. High school Elk Students of the Month honored in November included October recipient Quinn Cernansky, daughter of Ryan and Kim Cernansky, and November recipients Addison Wittensoldner, daughter of Jason and Amy Wittensoldner, and Huck Gainer, son of Angela Higginbotham and Chad Gainer. December recipients were Giana Bogunovich, daughter of Melissa and Marko Bogunovich, and Nathan Dipold, son of Dax and Maria Dipold. Middle school honorees included Fallon Fletcher and Brantley Miller in October, Abigail Davis and Cy Stevenson in November, and Emelee Rosenberger and Isaac Beachy in December.

Elementary Kiwanis Students of the Month were also recognized. October recipients were Aliyah Fletcher of Lexington, Dante Silva of Marlboro and Faith Boyce of Washington. November recipients were Peighton Mellvain of Lexington, Ben Stewart of Marlboro and Maddy Frank of Washington. December recipients were Wyatt Byler of Lexington, Kensington Carlile of Marlboro and Eleanor Aker of Washington.

The board elected Karen Humphries to serve as president pro tempore for the organizational meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. The regular January 2026 meeting will follow at 6 p.m. Both meetings will be held at the DLZ at Marlington High School. The board plans to hold a work session in late January 2026 to review summer facility improvement discussions. Christmas break runs from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2, 2026.