Morning Journal/Liz Lehman Mark’s Landing was honored by United Local board members for years of contributions to the district. Pictured from left: Wendy Doyle, Denise Rhodes, Ruth Ann Rinto, Heather Mercer, Bobbi Ieropoli, Angela Benner and Jason Medure.

HANOVERTON — United Local is getting ready to wrap up the school year and looking forward to what comes next. Superintendent Lance Hostetler said Wednesday at the district’s regular board meeting that, after some delays, the new school building project should be moving forward to the next steps soon. He said there are three parts to the design phase.

“We completed part one about eight or nine weeks ago,” Hostetler said. “It’s been in hold-up with the OFCC. We got promising news this week that it looks like we will be continuing the process starting soon.”

Two guests from the community were present at the meeting and they were honored by the board. Board member Heather Mercer said that a few months ago, the Ohio School Boards Association had put out a call for nominations for local businesses that contribute to school systems. “The first business that popped into my head at that time was Mark’s Landing because as far as I can remember back, you guys have been supporting the kids at United in so many different ways, from our youth programs, during our pandemic homecoming, the team dinners, personally helping out with concession stands, things like that.”

Mercer presented the award to Bobbi Ieropoli and her daughter, United alumna Angela Benner, the owners of Mark’s Landing. “We want to present this certificate to you guys in thanks and to let you know we so appreciate the things you have done and continue to do,” Mercer said. Ieropoli said the restaurant will celebrate 34 years of business on July 1 and that contributing to the district that has been part of her family’s lives for years is extremely important to her. “It’s time to give back,” she said.

Board member Ruth Ann Rinto updated board members about the United Community Scholarship Foundation, which is part of the honors program. “Last week, we did give out $26,500 in scholarships,” Rinto said. “She said she had one particularly delightful story to share. “We have several students in the top ten that are taking gap years,” she said. “There is a scholarship that is donated by a person who graduated from United and wants to be anonymous and it is always given to the tenth ranked student. I called the foundation she works with and said that student is not going to college for a year and is taking a gap year. That person said I’m going to give them the money anyway. They need supported in anything they do which I think is tremendous.”

In other business, the board approved the following donations:

— Williams Co/Lenny VonFeldt donated a Cannon C5240 Image Runner Advance copy machine to the nurse’s office, with an approximate value of $5,000

— Power Puff Volleyball donated $84 to the backpack program as well as $221 to student council

— An anonymous donor contributed $182 to the junior class of 2023

— A softball fundraiser donated $675 to the sophomore class of 2024

— Turning Point Residential Inc. donated $4,000 to the boys soccer fundraiser account

In personnel matters, the board approved:

— Non-renewal of supplemental contracts that completed the requirements for the 2021-2022 school year, including assistant athletic director, Ruri-teen Club advisor, student council advisor, junior class advisor, freshman class advisor, sophomore class advisor, senior class advisor, Key Club advisor, majorette/flag advisor, high school art instructor, yearbook advisor, community education coordinator, volunteer coordinator, National Honor Society advisor and assistant play director

— Employment of Mike Ward as retire/rehire on a one-year limited contract, part-time, at step 0, Masters +15 at the board-approved certified salary schedule for the 2022-2023 school year

— Employment of Peggy Mix as bus driver as retire/rehire on a one-year limited contract at step 0 at the board-certified salary schedule for the 2022-2023 school year

In certified staff member matters, the board approved awarding contracts to certified staff members for the 2022-2023 school:

— For high school: Lori Conser (two year), Matthew Fowler (two year), Erica Noel (one year) and Rebecca Zeisler (one year)

— For middle school: Jennifer Russo (one year), Jason Thompson (two year), Jordan Wrask (one year), Alexandra Thomas (two year)

— For elementary: Katie Bibri (continuing), Kelsey Brown (continuing), Brittany Grimm (two year), Emily Leitza (two year), Marina Moffett (one year), Kimberly Salmen (two year), Karesia Sisco (two year), Karrie Varagliotti (two years) and Lydia Wilmoth (continuing)

In classified staff member business for the 2022-2023 school year, the board approved:

— S. Louann Cope (two year), Byron Hartsough (two year), Lyne Mercer (two year), Vinton Milbank (two year), Amanda Wilson (two year) and Danielle Satterfield (two year)

The board also voted to award certified extended time to certified staff members who work days beyond the regular school year for the 2022-2023 academic year, including: Dennis Klaustermeyer, computer technician, 46 days; Tyler Gentry, vocational agriculture, 20 days; Erica Noel, high school counselor, 20 days; Lorraine Raymond, junior high counselor, 18 days; Kristine Urmson, vocational home economics, nine days; Krista Fitch, technology coordinator, nine days; Denise Ward, high school librarian, five days; Samantha Muniz, elementary school counselor, 12 days and Susan Laughlin, nurse, five days

In 2021-2022 supplemental contracts, the board awarded them to: Sonya Minard, assistant band director, step 23; Jason Minard, percussion band and Nicole Price, majorette/flag advisor, step 4

llehman@mojonews.com