Garaway superintendent gives update on school year
Garaway Superintendent Dr. James Millet gave an update of the school year during the March 17 board meeting. He recommended district-owned property on Fairview Avenue not be leased to give the board time to determine what it wants to do with the property.
“We are using the garage for storage and getting quotes for required improvements at the property,” Millet said.
Millet said the district has spent over $1 million for upgrades in the school buildings. He said they will replace the roof at Miller Avenue Elementary and repair the parking lots at Ragersville and Dundee elementary schools.
Millet said the district also will eliminate many fees district-wide, and there will be no charge for required course studies in the 2025-26 school year.
The board also did the following:
—Approved the resignation of Grace Smith, seventh grade through 12th grade math teacher, and Tara Francis, intervention specialist at Miller Avenue, both effective at the end of the 2024-25 school year, and the retirement of Jody Ott Schlabach, student services aide, effective June 1, 2025, and Gloria Sundheimer, van driver, effective at the end of the day May 30, 2025.
—Granted an athletic stipend to Steven Sparks, assistant varsity track.
—Gave approval to volunteers Erica Elmore, Matthew Oliver, Nicole Fender and William Patterson, all Appalachian Trail hike; Collin Gerber, baseball; and Lindzee Hoffman and Hannah Zeigler, both softball.
—Accepted a grant provided by the Ohio Attorney General Safety Grant Program.
—Held the first reading of 22 new and revised board policies.
—Approved the disposal of a Duke ArrowHot steam table in the most efficient manner.
—Entered into a contract with Tate Services LLC for climate control units for the high school teacher’s lounge and IT equipment room at a cost of $7,565.
—Approved a contract with Nulook Coating to refinish the flooring in the large room at the Belden Center at a cost of $18,500.
—Accepted a $1,000 donation from Garaway Athletic Boosters for a charter bus to the Ohio High School Athletic Association boys basketball game in Athens.
—Entered into a contract with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for gifted students and support with MAP.
—Approved a Title III consortium contract with SCESC of Northeast Ohio from July 1, 2025, to June, 30, 2026, at a cost of $10,000.
—Approved a seventh grade through 12th grade Course Description Book, the Alternative Learning Brick and Mortar Online Handbook, and Alternative Learning Handbook.
—Gave approval for sixth grade camp at Camp Buckeye Sept. 23-25.
—Approved safety and security purchases from the Ohio Attorney General Safety Grant program.
Other information
The board entered into a contract with the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections for the Garaway Belden Center to be used as a polling location for several precincts in the village.
The board recognized February Student of the Month recipients Morgan Schlabach, high school; Michael Hamsher, middle school; Blain Raber, artist; Bryce Yoder, employee; and Braylon Books, athlete.
The next meeting will be April 14 at 6 p.m. in the high school library, 146 Dover Road NW, Sugarcreek.