Fairless board reviews cybersecurity plan, approves multiple agreements

The Fairless Board of Education heard a presentation on cybersecurity during its Oct. 21 meeting. Technology Director Jonathan Stuck gave the presentation, which outlined updates to the state cybersecurity plan. He said the initiative is an ongoing process.

Cybersecurity involves protecting people, network devices and data against criminal or unauthorized use of electronic data, as well as implementing measures to prevent such breaches.

In other business, the board approved a memorabilia loan agreement with the village of Beach City and the school district to loan certain memorabilia items to the board of education for an indefinite period at no cost to the board.

“These items are in a trophy case at the Beach City Village Hall, and we will display three items in our cases,” Superintendent Michael Hearn said. “One is an original Beach City band uniform donated by a local resident.”

Hearn also said the board approved a mutual assistance and aid agreement between the village of Brewster and the Board of Education. The agreement allows for reciprocal emergency management assistance or aid for preparing for, responding to and recovering from incidents, disasters, exercises, training activities, planned events or emergencies requiring additional resources.

The board also took the following actions:

— Entered into an agreement with the Stark County Educational Service Center to provide transportation for two students attending the Ohio School for the Deaf in Columbus, at an estimated cost of $15,450.

— Approved an out-of-state trip for the band and choir to Virginia Beach, April 29-May 2, 2026.

— Approved the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., Oct. 28-30, 2025.

— Approved a contract with the SCESC for transportation for students attending the Ohio School for the Deaf or the Ohio School for the Blind for the 2025-26 school year.

— Appointed board member Ken Killian to serve a three-year term on the R.G. Drage board, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

— Approved the high school cross-country teams to compete at the Nike Midwest Regional meet in Terre Haute, Indiana, Nov. 15-16, 2025.

— Accepted a $5,000 donation from the Eagles 90 Charity Fund for the seventh-grade field trip.

— Entered into an agreement with Hometown for digital ticketing services offering e-tickets beginning with spring sports at no cost to the board.

— Approved a contract with the SCESC/SPARCC to provide behavioral coaching, paraprofessional support and other essential services for the 2025-26 school year at a cost of $400,000.

— Approved payment in lieu of transportation for 25 Fairless students attending parochial or Christian schools.

— Accepted the resignations of Caleb Webber, custodian, effective Oct. 3, and Julie Tull, head softball coach, effective Oct. 7.

— Granted one-year supplemental contracts to non-district employees Seth Peterson and William Moriarty III, freshman boys basketball; Lacy Harvey, varsity assistant wrestling; and Siobhan Berresford, girls wrestling (volunteer).

— Approved certified staff members David Stuck, Brian Boone and Chad Butcher to receive a $50 stipend per student, per negotiated agreement, to serve as online learning teachers of record.

The board also approved early dismissal for the junior class Feb. 24, 2026, after ACT testing.

The next board meeting will be held Nov. 18 at 6:15 p.m. at 800 Seventh St. SE, Brewster.