Achievements of several groups recognized at BOE meeting Feb. 20
The Fairless yearbook staff
Fairless Board of Education recognized several groups at the Feb. 20 meeting held in the high school. Tammy Zalesinsky, assistant high school principal, presented information about an aviation history course to be implemented in fall 2024 for students in ninth grade through 12th grade. She said it is for students interested in aviation science. The idea came from an aviation magazine, and the curriculum is free.
She said this course can encourage students to think about a different career that includes business and different areas connected with aviation.
“This is a way to excite students for a learning career and a different pathway. Students will visit Canton Akron Airport, and they travel to the New Philadelphia Airport once a week to study aviation,” Zalesinsky said.
In another matter
Fairless High School was named Jostens 2023 National Yearbook Program of Excellence — the gold level. The yearbook staff was honored by Jostens, leading producers of yearbooks, for their yearbook. The National Yearbook Program of Excellence recognizes engaging yearbooks that reflect a broad representation of the student body and help students develop 21st-century skills for communication, collaboration and information and communication technologies literacy.
The staff achieved defined criteria in creating an inclusive yearbook, generating school engagement and successfully managing the yearbook creation process of meeting deadlines. The 2023 editors were Lili Villafranca and Ariel Shoup, and the 2024 editors are Lydia Highben, Trinity Miller, Paige Smith and Olivia Stutz. Janice Messenheimer-Courtney is the yearbook adviser.
Public speaks
Artist Patrick Buckohr and Scott Burdge, a Fairless alumnus, and his welding classes at RG Drage Career Center designed a 16-foot-wide falcon sculpture of stainless steel that will soar 20 feet in the air. All the material was donated. The sculpture will have a stainless-steel feather for every student and staff member in Fairless. The grant was awarded by an Arts in Stark grant and a donor-funded project. It will be placed in the courtyard located between the athletic and academic wing at the high school.
The board also did the following:
—Granted a three-year administrative contract to Nate Held, athletic director, effective Aug. 1, 2024-27.
—Accepted the resignations of Dawn Buckridge, secretary, effective June 30, and Tammie Kramer, bus driver, effective June 1, 2024, both for retirement.
—Approved split stipends for Jessica Swihart, Wesley Yoder and Nathan Held, certified personnel, track for the 2023-24 school year.
—Adopted a resolution authorizing membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The cost is $50 per sport.
—Entered a contract with SPARRC for internet services at a cost of $13,818, effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
—Approved a contract with CHI Corporation for internet network management and maintenance services at a cost of $30,360.
—Approved Stronger Connections grant plan for the 2023-24 school year. The grant is for family support specialists.
—Accepted a donation of a baseball/softball pitching net for the auxiliary gym from Fairless Athletic Booster Club valued at $17,000 including installation.
—Amended a professional services agreement with Cleveland State to provide support to Jenny Best’s Teacher of the Year action research project, increase of $300.
—Adopted 27 revised board policies.
—Approved Heather Snyder as choreographer on an as-needed basis for Falcon Playhouse and Silver Wings at a rate of $20 per hour, effective Sept. 7, 2023.
—Granted stipends to nonteachers in the district: Vertrence Terrell and Jory Oakleaf, track (split stipend); Krista Doane, Pamela Gerig and Conner Durant, middle school track (split stipend); and Samuel Uminski, junior varsity baseball.
Other information
The board recognized Power of the Pen regional qualifiers Bridget Newtz, Adaline Borojevich and Adelyn Peterson. Borojevich and Newtz both qualified to compete at the State Power of the Pen tournament May 17 at Ashland University. Julie Feucht is the Power of the Pen coach.
The next meeting will be held March 19 at 6:15 p.m. at 800 Seventh St. in Brewster.