Tusky Valley honors Kelly Burwell and Lacey Jones with Trojan Pride Award

Kelly Burwell and Lacey Jones received the Trojan Pride Award during the Nov. 10 Tuscarawas Valley Board of Education meeting. The women were honored for helping supply items for students in the district.

Kaley Hamilton, of the Family Resource Center, said the center helps families in the district by providing clothing, school supplies, hygiene products and other necessities. She said Burwell and Jones stepped up to gather donated items for students.

“I am so pleased these women came forward to help with this project,” Hamilton said.

“Community members asked what they could do, and many items have been donated,” she added. “We are working to serve more children. People came forward and wanted to give to students, along with local businesses and through social media.”

In another matter, the board congratulated Superintendent Dr. Derek Varansky for being selected by the Ohio Middle Level Association as the 2025 Educator of the Year.

The board also:

Accepted donations and grants totaling $300, including $200 for the band from the Atwood Area Fall Festival and $100 from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory Inc. The board expressed appreciation to the businesses for their generosity.

Discussed seven proposed legislative amendments and additional platform amendments that board member Ben Overton will be voting on soon.

Rescinded the employment of Cade Adams, one-year supplemental contract for assistant wrestling, approved at the Oct. 13 meeting.

Granted one-year supplemental contracts to Nancy Corder, assistant speech and debate volunteer, and Cody Hodge, assistant wrestling coach.

Approved 15 NEOLA revised and new board policies.

Heard that the 250-year American Independence anniversary will take place in 2026. Fort Laurens, in Lawrence Township, is the only Revolutionary War fort in Ohio. Seven Revolutionary War veterans are buried in the state, and two of the graves have been located.

Held the first reading of six NEOLA policies to be approved at the Dec. 8 meeting.

Approved the Nutritional Standards Report and compliance with the Ohio Revised Code governing the types of food and beverages that may be sold on district premises.

Heard board member Sally Green has visited 200 schools and reached all 88 counties in Ohio during her three years serving on the Ohio School Boards Association.

Entered into an agreement with Cognitive Organics LLC for rental of Room 128 in the administrative building, effective Nov. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026. Three rooms remain available for rent.

In other information, the board recognized Students of the Month:

Tori Stahlman, high school; Abigail Gaynor, fine arts; Samantha Ward, athletics; Aleah Wozniak, junior; Henry Dixon, sophomore; Emerson Ragon, freshman; Karisma Lundenberger, seventh grade; and Reese Elliott, eighth grade.

Breakfast with Santa Claus will be held Dec. 18 beginning at 6:45 a.m. for kindergarten through fourth grade at the elementary school. Plans are to have all students served breakfast and in classrooms by 9 a.m.

The next board meeting will be held Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in the community board room, 2637 Tusky Valley Road, Zoarville.