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LISBON -- The Beaver Local School District administration had much to be proud of this month, with students from the middle and high school recently excelling in both county and state competitions.
The Board of Education applauded the success during the March meeting, noting that both the 8th grade middle school robotics team and high school robotics team will represent the district at the world competition in Dallas, Texas.
The teams recently competed at the state level and the 8th grade team is one of three Columbiana County teams to advance to the world competition, while the high school team is the only county team to advance.
The 8th grade team consist of students Wyatt Wright, Ericka Heaton, Shaylynn Dennis, Angelica Layman, and Mason Boggs.
The high school team consists of students Cameron Sullivan, Izzy Ward, and Isiah Archer.
The 7th grade robotics team also represented the district at the state competition, which had over 90 teams competing.
The school board and administration were also proud of the fact that Beaver Local students took the top three places at the county spelling bee.
Middle School Principal Jake Walgate said it was the first time that a school took all three places.
Students who took the top honors were Colton Waugh, who made second runner-up; Matthew Tracy, who made first runner-up; and Shaylynn Dennis, who earned champion for the second time. Dennis also took the champion spot at last year's spelling bee, making her the first Beaver Local student to repeat as champion.
School Superintendent Eric Lowe said that the district is "very proud of the accomplishments of the students and look forward to them competing in Dallas."
Lowe also pointed out that freshman Bobby Buchheit finished 7th at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state wrestling tournament. Student Gabe Morgan also competed.
Board member John Campbell said that the Career Center students also had success at the recent Career Center Skills USA State Competitions.
Board President Brian McKenzie said the district was proud of the students for their hard work, and "it is awesome to see their successes over the past month in the differing competitions."
On another matter, Lowe said the district will be amending the calendar to assist in meeting the new state mandated Dyslexia Requirements. As a result, April 11 will be an in-service day for K-4 staff.
He said that students in grades K-4 will not have school but students in grades 5-12 will still have school as normal. The district will also have a districtwide in-service day on May 15 for staff to work on professional development, resulting in no classes for students that day.
In other business, the board approved:
-- Contracts with Access for Managed Internal Broadband Services and Wireless Products for Fiscal Year 2024; Voice Services for Fiscal Year 2024; Internet Access Services for Fiscal Year 2024-2026; and Application Services for Fiscal Year 2024.
-- The High School Prom packet, with the them of "Old Hollywood." The prom is scheduled for May 5.
-- An agreement with the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio.
-- Matthew Anderson, Samantha Collins, Allison Krulik, Nicole McCune and Shane Timmons as PTO volunteers and Erin Archer, Sheryl Bailey, Mary Conaway, Julie Henthorn, Mike McGown, Maryann Mileski, Jordan Warrick, Rochelle Williams, Dave Diddle (pending background clearance), and Melissa Diddle (pending background clearance), as band trip volunteers to Nashville.
-- Tiffany Ingram as substitute custodian.
-- The resignation of Shannon Mackall, food service, effective March 17, 2023.
--Family Medical Leave for Dawn Buffington, effective Feb. 13, 2023.
-- Accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor for 2023-24.
--An executive session to discuss matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or state statute. No action was taken.