Tusky Valley accepts donations and grants
Emma Benner, left, Teegan Phillips and Jace Digman with Principal Jason Phillips
The Tuscarawas Valley Board of Education met Monday, March 13 in the high school Trojan Center and accepted donations and grants made to the district.
The board expressed appreciation for those that made contributions. They are as follows: $100,000 from the Reeves Foundation, grades 7-12 auditorium; $10,000 from the Rosenberry Foundation, auditorium stage equipment; $5,000 from Dan Hershberger, building fund; $200 from Dover Exchange Club and $1,228 from Lauren International, Project Lead the Way; and $1,060 from Dover Exchange Club Children’s Foundation, industrial arts.
The board created an Ohio Association of Public School Employees transfer to Ron Burton from high school custodian, eight hours per day, to maintenance groundskeeper, eight hours per day, effective Aug. 1. This is a new position for the new grades 7-12 school that will open in the fall.
In other business
The board did the following:
—Heard a presentation from Sally Green, board member, on Ohio Senate Bill 1. The board passed a resolution opposing Senate Bill I and urged lawmakers to vote against this legislation.
—Approved the second amendment to the project agreement with the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The amendment means the district has the funds to pay the costs of the construction project.
—Approved the district Girls on the Run program for the spring. Emily Amendola and Mary Amendola are volunteer advisors.
—Heard from Brian Smith, a parent and resident of Bolivar. He thanked the district staff for their support and had requested an executive session. He said plans were to record the executive session, which is not permitted. He read several bylaws he felt allowed him to record. Smith said if he is not satisfied with the board’s response, he will contact the state board of education and then a civil lawsuit will follow.
—Gave approval for an unpaid leave of absence for Michelle Strain from Feb. 24 to the remainder of the school year.
—Approved a maternity leave request, in conjunction with Family Medical Act, for Kallie Kouskouris, middle school teacher, effective Aug. 31 to Nov. 23, with the remainder of the 2023-24 school year, as a one-year unpaid leave of absence.
—Agreed to eliminate OAPSE classified positions at the end of the 2022-23 school year, effective July 21, in alignment with the district transition plan approved Feb. 13 at the regular board meeting. There are five administrative assistants, nine cooks and nine custodians.
—Created the following OAPSE classified positions, effective Aug. 1 in alignment with the district transition plan approved at the Feb. 13 board of education meeting: five administrative assistants, nine cooks and nine custodians.
—Granted one-year supplemental contracts to certified employee department heads Aimee Cox, English language arts; Brian Finney, social studies; Merri Gensley, fine arts; Mike Horger, technology; Chaleen Tidrick, science; and Susan Troyer, math.
—Held an executive session for the purpose of the investigation of charges/complaints against a public employee, official, licensee or regular individual. No action was taken.
Other information
The board recognized Student of the Month recipients: Teegan Phillips, high school; Jace Digman, fine artist; Emma Benner, athlete; Alex Grimwood, fifth grade; Kelsey Nichols, sixth grade; Jesse Loveday, seventh grade; Katie Powell, eighth grade; and Boston Maurer, fine artist.
The board learned after the recent alumni basketball game, a data base was created to find alumni information such as class reunions.
The board of education will meet April 10 at 6 p.m. in the high school Trojan Center, 2637 Tusky Valley Road NE, Mineral City.