Members receive awards
The Tuscarawas Valley Board of Education met Jan. 8 and approved a subgrant agreement between the school district and the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners for the distribution of grant proceeds of $1,835,000 from the Ohio Department of Development, fiscal year 2024, special project grant. Superintendent Dr. Derek Varansky said according to the law, the funds to demolish the schools must go through the county commissioners, and an agreement must be created with them.
Treasurer Mark Phillips said Ohio Sen. Al Landis has obtained funds to demolish the intermediate and elementary schools located in Bolivar and Mineral City. Funds were not received from the state to demolish the schools due to over-runs on the budget for the construction of the new high school/middle school.
Each board member received an award in honor of Board of Education Recognition Month that was prepared by the high school, middle school, elementary schools and staff members.
Treasurer Mark Phillips administered the oath of office to board members Dick Gooding, Ben Overton and Katy Johnson.
During the organizational meeting held prior to the regular meeting, Gooding was selected as board president and Amy Burrier as vice president. Board meetings will be held the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Elementary Trojan Center unless otherwise stated.
The board also did the following:
—Heard the 2024-25 school calendar will be approved at the Feb. 12 meeting. A hearing is required prior to the board approving the calendar. If approved, school will begin Sept. 3 with the last day for students on June 4, 2025.
—Heard a proposal from Willard Himes, Sandy Township trustee, about installing a tornado siren on school property at no cost to the district. The siren would be erected on an 85-foot pole at the back of the parking lot. The matter was taken under advisement.
—Established a $5,000 service fund to pay expenses actually incurred by board members or official representatives in performance of their duties.
—Agreed compensation for all board members will be $125 per meeting for 12 meetings per year.
—Established board members get $60 per day for training up to three hours per day and $125 per day for training more than three hours per day for attendance at the Ohio School Boards Association conferences and other conferences related to board duties.
—Approved 21 annual business resolutions.
—Approved attendance and participation for Sally Green and Amy Burrier, board members, to attend the Consortium of State School Boards Association Conference Feb. 21-25 in Dallas, Texas.
—Approved a memorandum of understanding with Kent State University for students to participate in College Credit Plus opportunities for the 2024-25 school year.
—Designated The Bargain Hunter as the official newspaper for the district.
—Approved High School Principal Jason Phillips as the superintendent’s designee responsible for fulfilling district leadership in the absence of the superintendent.
—Accepted 32 donations and grants ranging from $100,000 each from the Reeves Foundation and Eleet Cryogenics Inc. for the auditorium to $9,357 from Allied Machine and Engineering Corp for Project Lead the Way. Many donations were miscellaneous donations or for specific areas of the district.
Other information
The board recognized Student of the Month recipients Kearah Ladrach, high school; Kylie Daum, fine artist; John Leffler, athlete; Zane Finney, seventh grade; Elsee Koury, eighth grade; Mason Tidrick, freshman; Riley Ramey, sophomore; and Aaron Murphy, junior.
The board congratulated board member Sally Green, who will serve as the 2024 Ohio School Boards Association president.
The board thanked those who attended and planned the celebration of the performing arts center opening held Jan. 7.
The board read proclamations from Sen. Landis congratulating Sally Green on becoming OSBA president and the district for the celebration of the performing arts center.
The next meeting will be held Feb. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Elementary Trojan Center at 2632 Tusky Valley Road in Zoarville.
