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LEETONIA - The Leetonia school board has selected someone to fill a vacant seat come July.
The board named Marilyn Heddleson to fill the seat that will be vacated by Richard Hendricks effective June 28. She was the only nomination for the position.
Heddleson is a former teacher with the district and had been serving as a substitute teacher. She was one of two qualified candidates who were interviewed for the seat, the other being Anthony Pelsnik.
The board choose Heddleson due to her knowledge and familiarity with the district, according to board President Jennifer Merritt.
"As a former teacher, (Heddleson) knows the district and has experience here," Merritt said.
But Merritt praised both candidates and thanked each for applying.
"Both were excellent candidates and had a lot to offer and they would both have been great board members," Merritt said. "[The board was] very pleased that both had the interest and cared enough in serving on the board."
Boardmember Larry Duko also expressed his appreciation for both individuals who interviewed for the seat.
Hendricks is resigning due to moving out of the district. A 1994 Leetonia graduate, he was appointed to the board in August 2013 and elected in 2015 and 2019. His term expires at the end of this year.
In other business, the board accepted resignation of Maia Amato as part-time assistant treasurer effective April 1 and granted a two-year limited contract to Sean Gaffney as assistant treasurer.
Treasurer Jennifer Coldsnow said Gaffney, who is already an assistant treasurer with the district, holds a treasurer's license and brings a technological aspect to the payroll. He will be assuming additional responsibilities and will receive an additional $10,000.
Coldsnow said Gaffney will take on additional duties along with her following the resignation of Amato. The situation will be evaluated at a later date to determine how it is working.
Also at the meeting, the board accepted resignation of Cleone Smith effective March 1 after 31 years in the district as teacher and coach and Heidi George effective April 2 after approximately 26 years with district; approved a memorandum of understanding with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) Local 224 regarding overtime which provides a clarification of language in contract regarding holidays and sick leave; granted supplemental contracts for the 2022-2023 school year to Matt Burns for junior high track coach, Bob Vaia for head girls track coach, Shana Smith and Lauran Woolley for dean of students K-6, Rick Mulinix and Angela Dunn for dean of students 7-12 and Scott Fredericks for half-year head weight room; as well as for 2023-2024 to Matt Burns for head golf coach; and approved before/after school program staff for the 2022-2023 including certificated staff Casey Harris and Karen Marcu and classified staff Amy Basden, Bridget Lazear and Kimberly Carter.