WORK IN PROGRESS: Hammond Construction continues work on the new school building on United Local’s campus. United Local broke ground for their new school during a ceremony held in May for the state-of-the-art facilities for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Work began in the summer and is expected to be completed for the 2025-26 school year. (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

HANOVERTON — The United Local Board of Education met on Wednesday, approving several employment and personnel issues as well as passing a resolution declaring the impracticality of transporting non-public students, as construction on the new school building continues on campus.

The new additions to the campus will include a main building that will offer bright, daylit spaces, hands-on learning labs, reduced maintenance and operating costs, enhanced curricular and extracurricular spaces as well as the newest in security features. The nearly $50 million project was funded through $28,970,346 in state funding approved by the Ohio Facilities Commission. The other $20,131,935 came from revenue generated by the Nexus gas pipeline and compression station in the district.

“A new building is only part of our commitment to providing education and real life problem solving skills,” Superintendent Lance Hostetler said at the groundbreaking. “We believe this investment in our infrastructure will pay huge dividends in our future and ensure our students have an opportunity to learn and succeed in their individual educational goals and objectives.”

Construction began this summer after a groundbreaking in May and the new building is slated to open with the 2025-26 school year.

The personnel matters approved on Wednesday included filling advisor, mentor or coordinator positions for 26 different activities. Filling those positions are Nome Baker (jazz and marching band), Heather Connor (high school art advisor), Ann Cooper (head resident education mentor), Katie Davidson (MS/HS PBIS and National Honor Society), Matt Fowler (TV studio), Shawn Hicklin (HS SAP), Susan Laughlin (Community Education), Emily Leitza (elementary PBIS), Aimee Marshall (PBIS) Beth McGaffick (elementary SAP), Jackie Mercer (ASL Club), Noleen Moore (Key Club), Natalie Motts (Spanish Club), Erica Noel (senior class advisor), Sarah Pigza (MS/HS technical advisor and choir), Kristi Urmson (FCCLA), Karrie Varagliotti (elementary technical advisor), Betty Whiteleather (community outreach coordinator and freshman, sophomore, junior, student council and Ruri-teen advisor) and Stacey Zines (yearbook advisor).

In other personnel matters, Paul Berry, Matt Brooks, Nicholas Rhodes and Marget Vance were approved as certified substitute teachers, Sandy Tedeschi was approved as a Saturday school monitor and students Allison Neff and Cortney Swogger approved as student sound technicians at $10 per hour. Also approved for employment were bus driver Carrie Pierson, Thomas Clark as a substitute bus driver, Angie Hampson as substitute cafeteria worker and Rota Mint as substitute assistant treasurer. The board also approved David Vees as a volunteer golf coach and accepted the resignation of Nicole Looman (bus driver), Michael Dempster (health and physical education teacher). Additionally, the board approved a day of unpaid leave for Ashley Kennedy, to employ Loretta McLaughlin as liaison for staff members absences and for coordinating substitutes at a $10,000 stipend for the 2023-24 school year, to pay Beth Baker (tutor) and Michelle Murphy (nurse) the insurance waiver stipend of $4,000 and the lateral movements of teachers Sabrina weber and Mathew Fowler.

As for the resolution declaring the impracticality of transporting non-public students, the board reported that 27 students who reside within the district attended private schools. Fifteen of those students attend Salem Wesleyan Academy, seven attend Heartland Christian in Columbiana and five attend St. Paul in Salem.

The board also approved several agreements, including agreements with Rhodes Excavating Company Inc. for snow removal during the 2023-2024 season at a cost of $110 per hour per truck, for snow plowing and $485 each occurrence for salting and partial salt to be billed accordingly; Renaissance for a subscription for Freckle ELA and Math for both Elementary and High School at a cost of $28,675.19; Homecare with Heart for the 2023-24 school year; and Education Alternatives for the 2023-24 school year.

The board passed 2023-24 approval of the Title Program Federal funds, use of a canine therapy dog, the amended Certificate of Resources and the FY24 Permanent Appropriations, bus routes and stops, textbook and supplemental book adoption for both the high school and elementary school, the classified substitute handbook and the substitute teacher handbook.

Also gaining approval was a district-wide student tech fee of $20 per incident. This fee would be per incident to replace missing or damage that is not considered usual acceptable wear.

Six fundraiser requests were approved — clothing sale (cross country), signs (girls basketball), salad bar (Open 4 Business), plant sale (Open 4 Business), Santa’s Workshop (Open 4 Business) and face painting at the varsity home football games. Donations were also approved for the football team from Mike Ellyson ($1,000) and David Mangun ($500) and a $500 donation from Rhodes Excavating for girls soccer.

selverd@mojonews.com