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COLUMBIANA -- Columbiana School District students performed higher than the state average on state tests administered in the spring.
The test results were outlined by district Superintendent Dr. Donald Mook during the June board of education meeting.
According to the results, students that were tested in all three buildings performed above the state average in areas tested for each grade level.
Tests were administered to students in third through eighth grade.
The state average for proficiency in the subjects tested, which were English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Algebra and Geometry, were roughly between 50 to 60 percent, while Columbiana students averaged in the 80 to 100 percent range.
The lowest proficiency recorded for Columbiana students was 75 for fourth grade English Language Arts, which was still higher than the state average of 59 in that category, according to Mook's report.
"We have been working on closing the gap since Covid and we are doing a great job doing that," he said.
He added that the district has been using vendor purchased assessments to gauge where students are and really hone in on what needs work to better close the educational gap.
Mook credited the assessments, staff and students for the success.
Mook also outlined the district's enrollment for the 2022-23 school year, showing that overall enrollment decreased by 52 students compared to the year before.
Among the three school buildings the largest drop in enrollment was reflected at the high school, with 316 enrolled compared to 339 the year before.
Open enrollment into the district remained steady with just five fewer students enrolled in 2022-23 compared to the 2021-22 school year.
In other business, the board approved:
-- Authorizing the district's participation in an interagency agreement with the Ohio Department of Education related to direct certification of eligibility for the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- A resolution to specify the Columbiana Exempted Village School District's intent not to provide career technical education to students enrolled in grades seven and eight for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- A proposal by Holloway Insurance Inc. for property, fleet and liability insurance for the district for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Authorizing the treasurer to enroll in Sheakley UniService Workers' Compensation Group Rating and Risk Management Program for 2024.
-- The Client Service Agreement for Substitute Recruitment Services with Rachel Wixey & Associates, effective July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
-- The Columbiana Public Library budget for 2024 as submitted by the Library Board of Trustees, approved on May 17, 2023.
-- The re-appointment of Richard Sell as library trustee for a seven-year term effective July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2030.
-- Compensation rates for substitute employees for the 2023- 2024 school year at $110 per day for substitute certified teachers. All substitute classified employees will be paid at the entry rate of their classification.
-- A resolution concerning the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Program, pledging the district's continuing support for the program and its objectives in the Columbiana Public School System.
-- Employment of Kathy Davies as treasurer, effective Aug. 1, 2023 through July 31, 2028.
-- Supplemental contracts for the 2023-24 school year for AP Teachers Trisha Nord, Jennifer Sant, and Ronald Stallsmith, for extended time during the summer.
-- A supplemental contract for the summer of 2023 for Maria Chamis and Kristen Huber as tutors.
-- Lisa Bandy, Spencer Biser, Evan Bobin, Caleb Buchheit, Heidi Cope, Mandy Day, Brayden Earl, Paul Earl, Tony Kocanjer, Hunter Moffett, Laura Salyers, Andrew Stallsmith and Tyler Witherstine for summer custodial maintenance.
-- A shared supplemental contract for the 2022-23 school year for Ashlee Michael Sherwood, Robotics.
-- Two-year limited contracts for classified employees Tara Alexander, Spencer Biser, Jennifer Brown, Jacqueline Costanzo, Bridget Henderson, Vicki Kuhlman, Christine Morozov, Stephanie Peak, Laura Salyers, Tony Setinsek, Glenda Simko and Amy Withersinte.
-- Supplemental contracts for the 2023-2024 school year for Charles Miller, grades 5-12 instrumental music director; Margaret Silver, assistant music director; Austin Saverko and Ryan Holmes, high school assistant football coach; Caleb Sims and Ron Stallsmith, middle school football coach.
-- Cheyanne Carr as auxiliary unit advisor for the flatline; Karly Smith for high school cheerleading (fall only); Dianna Richardson, middle school cheerleading; Alex Ferfolio, Evan Schneider and Kris Reash, assistant football coaches; John Tollas, football equipment manager; Daniel Linebaugh, athletic trainer (fall only); Kelly Dangler, volleyball assistant coach; Stephanie Peak, 9th grade volleyball coach; Maria Noel and Maddie Witherow, middle school volleyball.
-- Larry Baughman as assistant athletic director and ticket manager.
-- Bailey Watson, cheerleading volunteer; Larry Baughman football volunteer; and Bonnie Wilkinson, volleyball volunteer.
-- A supplemental contract for Jordan Graham, as head swimming coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- A supplemental contract for Robert Sprite, as head varsity football coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- A supplemental contract for Jennifer Martin, head volleyball coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Crystal Siembida-Boggs as head cross country coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Robert hall as head boys golf coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Jason Janis as head girls soccer coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Chad Moreschi as head girls golf coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Chad Vollnogle as head boys soccer coach for the 2023-2024 school year.
-- Leslie Costal on a one year limited contract as medical professional-R.N. (non-bargaining unit member), effective July 1, 2023.
-- Anita Webber on a one year limited contract as medical professional (non-bargaining unit member), effective July 1, 2023.
-- Deborah Webb on a one year limited contract as medical professional (non-bargaining unit member), effective July 1, 2023.
-- Richard Cyrus as middle school/high school assistant principal, effective Aug. 1, 2023, through July 31, 2025.
-- Leslie Best as transportation coordinator, effective Aug. 1, 2023 through July 31, 2024.
The next meeting was set for 6 p.m. July 11 in the high school media center.