LISBON — Starting next school year, special education teachers and teacher assistants in classrooms at Lisbon schools will be employed by the Lisbon Exempted Village School District.

“Thank you for taking a huge leap of faith,” Lisbon Schools Special Education Director Lynne Beech said.

During a recent school board meeting, the board hired the teachers and aides who currently are employed by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center in the three special education classrooms, making them Lisbon school district employees effective July 1.

“We now have the opportunity to take that leadership role,” Beech said regarding the services provided to those students.

The board approved one-year limited certified contracts for intervention specialists Sherry Spaite for grades K-5, Gretchen Kalinay for grades 6-8 and Melissa Walton for grades 9-12. One-year limited classified contracts were approved for intervention specialist aides Richard Cole for grades K-5, Jill Thompson for grades 6-8 and Kristen Kemp for grades 9-12.

According to Beech, they have 41 years of combined total teaching experience, mostly at Lisbon. She thanked them for joining the Lisbon team.

Superintendent Joe Siefke said during interviews with the teachers and their assistants, he noticed how cohesive they were as a team. He said they’re loyal to the students.

“They’re going to fit in real well with our team concept,” he said.

Board members welcomed the new staff members, who were in attendance at the meeting.

According to Beech, the students in the special education classrooms will have more interactions with the other students. She said some of these students are already participating in track, art, music and extracurricular activities.

Beech said this is an “opportunity to include all of our kids and focus on abilities rather than disabilities.”

The contracts for the intervention specialists and intervention specialist aides will continue through June 30, 2024.