LEETONIA – The Leetonia school board is seeking someone to fill an upcoming vacancy.

The board this week accepted the resignation of Richard Hendricks from the school board effective June 28 since he is moving out of the district.

Hendricks, a 1994 Leetonia graduate, was appointed to the board in August 2013 and elected in 2015 and 2019. His term expires at the end of this year.

Anyone interested in filling the vacancy can submit a letter of interest to the Leetonia Board of Education Treasurer Jennifer Coldsnow by March 10. Applicants may submit their letter in person, mail or by email: Leetonia Exempted Village School District Attn: Jennifer Coldsnow, 450 Walnut St., Leetonia, OH 44431 or jcoldsnow@leetonia.k12.oh.us.

Board members thanked Hendricks for his service on the board.

In other business, the board approved Team 8e Architectural Services to advertise and receive bids for a new asphalt parking lot using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Schools Superintendent Dennis Dunham said the project includes laying asphalt on the gravel driveway at the fieldhouse and the grassy area on the westend behind the home bleachers, providing enough for a road and handicap parking.

“As you know, there is a real issue for individuals with disabilities to find parking at the stadium,” Dunham said.

Dunham said the firm will also gather estimates for

additional handicap parking at the front of the campus.

The board also approved supplemental coaching contracts for the 2022-2023 school year to James Scragg for head baseball coach and Tom Palmer for assistant baseball, and supplemental coaching contracts for the 2023-2024 school year to Kaitlyn Culp Morris for varsity cheer football, Scott Fredericks for head football, Scott Fredericks for head weight room and Ron Voitus for head volleyball; and accepted the resignation of Shannon Cutrer as girls head track coach.

Additionally, the board approved statewide admission of students under the inter-district open enrollment program for the 2023-2024 school year; and accepted donations of $500 from Melanie Stelts to the Judy Rohrer Memorial Scholarship, $100 anonymously to the Nurse Supplemental Fund and $1,000 from Chelby Gillis for the Jackie Batcha Memorial Scholarship.

Also at the meeting, Dunham reported board member Larry Duko has been granted the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) 2023 Service Award, one of just 52 of 3,400 board members in Ohio to receive the honor. The award is part of the STARs award program, which stands for Service, Training, Aptitude and Recognition.

Dunham said he was made aware of the award through an email sent by the OSBA, which stated “[Duko’s] efforts reflect a true commitment toward public education and the importance you attach to your role as a school board member. Thank you for your dedication.”

Duko will be recognized an upcoming regional spring conference.