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COLUMBIANA -- The Columbiana School District gave honor to one of its own longtime leaders this month.
During the board of education meeting on Nov. 21, school officials took a moment to remember the late Dan Bekar, who spent years with the district, both as a teacher and a coach.
Bekar -- who also served on city council and the city planning commission -- passed away on Nov. 19.
District Superintendent Dr. Don Mook said in his report to the board that not only was Bekar a teacher and coach, but a Clipper advocate and friend.
Mook later said that Bekar was one of the very first people to welcome him to Columbiana 15 years ago, and that he was a friend and colleague.
"He was truly a great person," he said.
On another matter, the board also heard an update from Columbiana Athletic Booster President Sean Zentner on the stadium complex restoration project.
"We are coming along well on the project. Sean Zentner and his team with the boosters and Pat Tingle are to thank for the major progress on this stadium project," Mook said. "Without the commitment from Pat Tingle and her amazing generosity to Columbiana City, Firestone Park and Columbiana Schools, we would not be able to accomplish this awesome upgrade to the home stand."
Mook went on to say that Zentner has been "completely selfless" with his time to meet and organize the effort.
"The community is lucky to have such committed people," Mook said.
District Treasurer Kathy Davies also presented the board with the five-year financial forecast.
According to the forecast, the district is anticipated to end 2024 with a cash balance of $6.09 million.
That cash balance is expected to dip to $4.8 million by 2028.
The district will remain in the black all five years, although revenues are expected to be over expenditures by about $911,700 by the end of 2028.
The largest source of income for the district, general property tax revenue, is expected to increase slightly over the five years, with $4.3 million projected for 2024 and $4.7 million for 2028.
However, the largest expenditures for the district, which are personal services and employees' retirement and benefits, are expected to increase as well.
According to the forecast $6.9 million is projected for personal services in 2024, increasing to $8.2 million by 2028; and $3 million is projected for retirement and benefits in 2024, increasing to $3.8 million by 2028.
In other business, the board approved:
-- Christine Freeland, as Administrative Assistant for Payroll, with a one-year limited contract.
-- Tim Reash as Assistant Football Coach for the 2023-24 school year.
-- Justin Conrad as Robotics volunteer.
-- The sixth grade Camp Fitch field trip from April 29, 2024, through May 1, 2024.
-- An HVAC Maintenance Agreement with Gardiner for Joshua Dixon Elementary, South Side Middle and Columbiana High School, including 40 service technician and 40 control technician labor hours a year – contract effective Nov. 1, 2023 through Oct. 31, 2024.
-- An executive session to discuss employment, investigation of charges/complaints, and matters required to be kept confidential by federal laws or rules or states statutes. No action was taken.
The next board meeting was set for 6 p.m. Dec. 12.