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LEETONIA -- Leetonia Schools Superintendent Dennis Dunham took time at Wednesday's Leetonia Board of Education meeting to remind the board that dreams do come true and what a little bit of support can do.
Dunham announced that Believe in Dreams -- Cleveland-based charity -- has fulfilled the wish of a district student, giving the student a video game console and an electric bike and funding a future trip to NASA. Dunham said the second-grader was nominated and selected to have his requests.
"If I had to have a job this would be it, Dream Fulfillment Supervisor. It's a great title and a real job and her name is Kristen Sklodowski," Dunham said. "Kristen is involved in helping students who had trauma and hardships and she helped make this student's dreams come true through this wonderful organization."
Believe in Dreams was founded in 2014 by Cleveland entrepreneur John DiJulius III and his son Cal. The organization's mission is to "fulfill dreams of youth who are economically disadvantaged and have survived non-medical adversity by providing access to enriching opportunities, connection to community and hope for the future." Believe in Dreams also provided to the district a $1,500 grant to be spent on its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. The program is meant to support students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional and mental health. Dunham reported that the both district's PBIS programs have received bronze ratings, which the ESC of Northeast Ohio describes as schools which have "consistently utilized data-based problem solving in existing team structures."
"This year, for the second or third year, we are bronze in K-6 and bronze in 7-12," Duhman said. "This came out on Sept. 28 from State Support Team Region 5 director Michelle Moore. Congratulations to the K-6 and 7-12 for the bronze status."
In personnel news, the board approved Alicia Eller Wolfe as part time front door office assistant, Rita Mint as a part-time fiscal assistant and substitutes Jill Leininger Clunen, Tonyea Kellison, John Bryan and Shannon Magmore, while accepting the resignations of Nancy Coleman (cook), Andris Baltputnis (science substitute) and Gretchen Hull (freshman class advisor). The board also approved unpaid leave for two employees.
In other matters, the board approved five transportation contracts for private-school students within the district, a Memorandum of Understanding between Columbiana County Mental Health Clinic and Leetonia Exempted School District regarding SPEAK Program and House Bill 123 and the Village of Leetonia EMS to provide sports medicine services during Leetonia winter sports events for the 2023-24 school year at a rate of $130 per event.
The board also accepted $1,425 in memory of Paul Rance, a Leetonia resident who passed away in September, into the Rance Family Scholarship from Barbara Smith ($25), Ina Dutcher ($50), the Family of Carl Dodson ($50), Susan Hertel ($50), Deborah and Tom Himes ($50), Paul and Marlene Early ($50), Donna Buffone ($50), Diane Pierce ($50), Marilyn and Samuel Camp ($50), David and LuAnn Holisky ($100), Ann and Bob Dickman ($100), Ann and Bob Dickman ($100), Columbiana Restoration and Beautification Trustees ($100), Charles and Patricia Troll ($100), Robert and Joanne Ashton ($100), Jon and Ellen Rettig ($100), Mark and Colleen Datillio, Melanie Stelts and Walter Rohrer ($200) and Columbiana Rotary Club ($200). The board also accepted a $100 from Dave Hosack for the Cafeteria Fund and $100 from Wyatt and Stephenie Beight to the Art Club Fund. In other financial matters, the board accepted supplemental contracts for both boys and girls basketball.