Tusky Valley speech team qualifies all members for state

Tuscarawas Valley speech team advisor Carrie Spina introduced the speech team at the Tuscarawas Valley Board of Education meeting Feb. 9. The team recently competed at a regional event at Jackson High School.

“All 15 team members qualified for state in various areas of speech. Only four students can participate in each category,” Spina said.

Senior Abby Gaynor also presented an excerpt of her original speech, “Good Grief.”

In other business, Ashley Bryant and Kim Fincher received the Trojan Pride Award for their work organizing donations to supply students in several schools with back-to-school items and Christmas gifts.

Kaley Hamilton, student and family advocate, introduced Bryant and Fincher and said 20 students received school supplies, and another 20 students received four to five gifts each at Christmas.

“They received backpacks and shoes and Christmas gifts. They were quality items. One student told me she finally felt she belonged because she had some nice things,” Hamilton said.

Other action

The board accepted a $100,000 donation from Eleet Cryogenics for the auditorium and a $5,000 donation from the Bolivar Sportsman Club for Trojan Crush.

The board heard staff held Zoom meetings during inclement weather when students were home. Staff reviewed academic data for all students three times a year, and students were given online assignments.

The board accepted the resignation of Rachel Homan, elementary paraprofessional, effective Jan. 23.

The board granted a one-year classified contract to Courtney Rae, elementary paraprofessional, 7.5 hours, effective Feb. 17.

The board approved an additional one-year unpaid leave of absence for Trisha McCray, intervention specialist, effective for the 2026-27 school year.

The board accepted the retirement resignation of Julie Packer, Title I teacher, effective May 29.

The board granted a one-year limited contract to Olivia Plunk, middle-high school family and consumer sciences teacher, effective Aug. 14.

The board did not renew the two-year limited contract of Harley Carlile, middle-high school custodian, effective July 31.

The board approved a maternity leave request for Jordan Morehart, elementary teacher, effective about April 21 through May 29.

The board granted one-year supplemental contracts to certified employees: John Blile and Sandy Debos, assistant track; Chase Cooper, head baseball; Brian Finney, head boys track; Mandy McElwee, head girls track; Kaylene Hoy and Kayla Gopp, middle school track; Corey Janson, Sarah Schoeppner, Terry Sites, Matt Ward and Misty Ward, sixth-grade camp.

The board issued one-year supplemental contracts to classified employees: Tanya Finney, assistant track; Donnie Jones, assistant baseball; Kristen Miller and Andrew Reichman, assistant softball.

The board approved the 2026-27 district calendar, with the first day of school Aug. 19. Christmas break will be Dec. 21 through Jan. 1, 2027. Spring break will be March 22-25, with no school March 26. May 26 will be the last day for students in grades 2-11.

The board approved travel for board members Amy Burrier, Sally Green, Adam Fisher and Ben Overton to attend the Consortium of State School Boards Associations Conference March 12-15 in Kentucky.

The board approved addendum No. 1 to the master service agreement with Forerunner Technology Inc. for March 4 through March 3, 2027, at a cost of $9,111.

The board entered into an annual agreement with the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center for managed cybersecurity services at a cost of $34,183, effective Jan. 1.

The board approved the five-year forecast prepared by Treasurer Mark Phillips.

The board heard the district received a $25,000 safety grant for two bus stop arms and a $30,000 grant to be used for school safety.

Other information

The board recognized students of the month: Taryn Campbell, student; Caitlyn Brown, fine artist; Elliott Wallick, athlete; Dean Nichols, junior; Jaiden Merkle, sophomore; Kelsey Nichols, freshman; Caroline Sams, eighth grade; Piper Finney, seventh grade.

The board thanked classified staff for bus maintenance and cleaning during inclement weather.

The next meeting will be held March 9 at 6 p.m. in the community board room, 2637 Tusky Valley Road, Zoarville.