Tusky Valley BOE members attend capital conference
Brynn Goedel, high school, left; High School Principal Jason Phillips; and Maggie Hamilton, fine artist, Student of the Month recipients.
Tuscarawas Valley Board of Education members gave their thoughts on the recent Ohio School Board Association capital conference during the Nov. 18 board meeting. The board members spoke about the different sessions they attended and how significant it was for them to bring back to the district. Board member Ben Overton spoke about sessions with Academy Award-winning actress Mary Steenburgen and Boomer Esiason, former Bengal quarterback, who spoke about his son Gunnar’s battle with cystic fibrosis.
“I attended sessions on physical movement, a mock board meeting and self-assessment. For five years I attended sessions about facility dogs, and our district was a go-to district, and our board is the best we can be,” board member Amy Burrier said.
Board President Dick Gooding spoke about getting young people involved, and they need to be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel in making career choices.
The board members also gave a presentation about the Tuscarawas Valley School District and its goals.
The board also did the following:
—Accepted donations or grants of $2,000 from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, $1,000 from Joseph and Marlene Toot, and $250 from Kraton Corporation, all Trojan Crush; $700 from Ohio High School Athletic Association, sports team membership; $250 from Moomaw Foundation, Project Lead the Way; and $200 from Atwood Fall Festival and $100 from Dover Lions Club, both band.
—Approved the resignations of Shirley Hill, elementary cook for retirement, effective Nov. 15, and Angela McDermott, elementary monitor, effective Nov. 15.
—Approved the transfer of Marlene Kyriacou from elementary cook five hours to six hours, effective Nov. 15.
—Granted one-year classified contracts to Emilene Allen, bus driver, effective Nov. 4, and Angela McDermott, elementary cook, five hours, effective Nov. 18.
—Approved state trips for the speech and debate team for Feb. 7-8 at Three Rivers, Pennsylvania; April 26-28 for Tournament of Champions in Kentucky; May 16-18 for NIETOQ in Kansas City, Missouri; and June 15-20 for National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines, Iowa.
—Approved the five-year forecast and related assumptions as prepared by treasurer Mark Phillips.
—Gave approval to the 2025-26 middle school/high school course of student/registration guide, subject to modification based on student enrollment and needs, course sign-ups, and teacher licensure.
Other information
The board recognized Student of the Month recipients Brynn Goedel, high school; Maggie Hamilton, fine artist; Aubrie Barr, athlete; Emilee Bankovich, seventh grade; Tyus Lieser, eighth grade; Olivia Whitlach, freshman; Peyton Newton, sophomore; and Trista Lieser, junior.
The board lauded board member Sally Green on the information she presented at the OSBA conference.
Kaley Hamilton, a parent, has contracted with the Education Service Center as the district’s student and family advocate.
The next board of education meeting will be held Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in the community board room at 2632 Tusky Valley Road in Zoarville.