Garaway Board of Education sets meeting schedule, names officers

The Garaway Board of Education elected Dr. James Miller as board president during the Jan. 5 organizational meeting. Mike Warkall was named vice president. Miller said he is honored to serve in the role and believes the board president should be rotated each year or only serve a two-year term.

The oath of office was administered to new board members Mark Blauch and Angela Tango. Board members John Shrock and April Beachy did not seek reelection. January is School Board Recognition Month, and board members received a certificate and a gift.

“I want the best education for the students and work to update the building’s needs," Blauch said. "I want to help with that and be involved."

Blauch and his wife Melanie have two children, and their six grandchildren attend Garaway Local Schools.

“I am excited and honored to serve on the board," Tango said. "I want to make sure there is transparency and students are the priority. I am blessed to live in a great community. I and my husband Aaron graduated from Garaway. We have three daughters. Our family has come full circle.”

The board also did the following:

—Agreed board meetings will be held the third Monday at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

—Approved a resolution to establish a $2,500 board service fund.

—Passed a resolution authorizing the superintendent and treasurer to approve purchases and contracts less than $5,000 before board approval.

—Passed resolutions authorizing the superintendent to hire personnel and temporary personnel and accept resignations.

—Passed a resolution to assign personnel to designated responsibilities as follows: James Millet, superintendent and school safety coordinator; Michael Maurer, school maintenance and grounds coordinator; Curtis Fisher, special education director and coordinator and compliance officer to all federal programs and initiatives; Sheryl Hardesty, treasurer, public records officer and training designee; Miller, legislative liaison; Bob Hannon, Buckeye Career Center representative; and Warkall, Tuscarawas County Tax Incentive Review Council representative.

—Approved a memorandum of understanding between the district and Kent State University about College Credit Plus classes for the 2026-27 school year.

—Approved a contract addendum for Melissa Ripple, school health professional (school nurse).

—Granted a supplemental contract to Joyce Grimm, home instruction tutor, to be compensated per negotiated agreement, not to exceed three hours per week from December 2025 to February 2026.

—Approved a resolution to participate and authorized the Stark County Schools’ Council of Governments to advertise and receive bids for the purchase of a 71-passenger conventional school bus. This resolution does not obligate the district to purchase a bus or buses.

—Recognized the following December Student of the Month recipients: Jadyn Stull, high school; Isabella Hostetler, middle school; and Tyler Troyer and Harmony Clymer, athletes, bowling team members.

The next meeting will be held Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. in the high school library at 146 Dover Road NW in Sugarcreek. The meeting was changed from Feb. 16.