Strasburg Board of Education places 2.9-mill levy on May ballot

The board of education passed a resolution to place a 2.9-mill, five-year fixed-sum levy on the May 5 ballot. The current levy generates $615,757 annually. The levy will not increase real estate taxes. The levy was first approved in 2017 and renewed in November 2022.

“There is new language for the levy but it will not increase real estate taxes. The funds provide 9% of our annual budget. We want to maintain our current programs,” Superintendent Vince Lindsey said.

Treasurer Trevor Gummere administered the oath of office to Diana Flickinger, Jordan Boggs and Ashlee Hayes, who will serve four-year terms. Marsha Clark will serve the remaining two-year term of former board member Stacy Bitikofer.

The board also did the following: 

— Accepted the retirement resignation of Troy McClellan, teacher, effective at the end of the school year. He has taught and coached in the district for more than 35 years. 

— Approved the resignation of Lindsay Opsitnik, athletic trainer, effective Jan. 10, 2026. Lindsey said the board will continue to seek a new athletic trainer. 

— Heard the district received a $22,000 grant from the Rainbow Connection for a sensory classroom and equipment. Matt Carpenter, director of pupil services, said he is meeting with vendors this month for the equipment to be shipped. The company will install the items. 

— Heard elementary students are involved in a 30-minute session for math or math and reading called Tiger Time. 

— Honored the school board as January is School Board Recognition Month. 

— Elected Flickinger as board president and Clark as vice president. The board will meet the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the board room in the administration building. — Reviewed the 2026-27 school calendar. It will be approved at the March board meeting. — Heard Maria Smith, curriculum director, praise the district. She said it is the best place she has been employed and said staff and students are moving forward. 

— Established a $5,000 service fund to pay expenses actually incurred by board members or their official representatives in the performance of their duties. 

— Approved Amy Ciereszewski for an extended maternity leave through Feb. 2, 2026. — Authorized providing complimentary passes and waiving payment of entrance fees for Strasburg community senior citizens, military veterans and first responders for district-sponsored events, concerts, programs and all athletic functions. 

— Approved 14 standing resolutions for 2026. 

— Passed a resolution entering into a SPARCC program agreement between the board and the Stark County Schools Council of Governments. 

— Approved annual membership dues for the Ohio School Boards Association for $4,423. 

— Accepted a $350 donation from the Strasburg United Methodist Church for the cafeteria. The money was collected during Bible School.

Committee appointments were as follows: Boggs and Hayes, athletic representatives; Flickinger and Clark, policy; Harvey, Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference delegate, legislative liaison, Buckeye Career Center board representative, student achievement and park-village liaison; Boggs, Ohio School Boards Association Capital Conference alternate delegate and technology; Flickinger and Hayes, negotiations; Hayes, calendar; Clark and Hayes, district goals and district leadership team; Flickinger, Tiger Foundation representative.

The board recognized Tigers of the Month: Eileen Zhang, high school; Cole Watkins, middle school; and Grant Froman, elementary. Zhang was absent and will be honored in February. Each received a plaque sponsored by the district and the Lions Club.

The next board meeting will be held Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the administrative building at 140 N. Bodmer Ave.