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LEETONIA -- Giving back to the community and extending condolences to Tuscarawas Valley School District dominated the topic of conversation at the Leetonia Board of Education meeting on last week.
Board members paused to remember the six lives lost in a crash that involved a charter bus carrying members of the Tusky Valley band on Interstate 70 just east of Columbus on Nov. 16. Tuscarawas Valley seniors John Mosley and Jeffrey Worrell, both 18, sophomore Katelyn Owens, 15, teacher Dave Kennat, 56, and parents Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45, all died at the scene. A total of 15 students and the bus driver were hospitalized with injuries. The bus was carrying the students and chaperones to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus.
"Probably the worst thing that could happen to a district happened to Tusky Valley and it really hit home to all of us here," Leetonia Superintendent Dennis Dunham said. "We just want them to know they are certainly in our thoughts and prayers."
Dunham also utilized his time at the board meeting to reflect the upcoming holiday season and less fortunate families in the Leetonia area. He spoke of the importance of giving back and reported that several Leetonia students have gotten into the giving spirit.
"It seems, everywhere you turn there are people in need," Dunham said. "Just recently our National Honor Society students got involved with the food pantry in Washingtonville and about five of them spent time there carrying boxes. If it wasn't for our kids volunteering their time there, the two people working there would have been there for hours. There is a lot of need out there and anything we can do to help, and more importantly for our kids see how important it is to give back and what it could be like, that in itself is worth it."
In treasurer items, the board accepted and approved the five-year forecast for fiscal year 2024, approved a transfer of $31,113 from the general fund to the athletic fund and approved appropriations for the fiscal year 2024 for permanent improvement ($424,827), Scholarships ($23,570) and district custodial ($3,838). The board also approved $7,427 in donations -- including $5,000 from Peachybbies Slime LLC and $1,500 from Believe In Dreams for the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) Incentives.
In personnel matters, the board approved Richard Istnick as long-term substitute, Shannon Magmore as a cook and Jill Leininger Clunen as certified staff. The board also approved several supplemental contracts -- basketball coaches Justin Maynard, Corey Creamer, Nick Fellure, Ronald W. Lee and Alison Francosky, football coach Ed Fredericks, Laurie Crisan (Freshman Class Advisor) and Randy Rodik (Resident Educator Mentor). Madeline Cole and Breyle Merritt were approved as game workers.
Resignations for three supplemental contracts -- Emma Minamyer (junior high girls basketball), Mary Double (junior high girls basketball) and John Bryan (junior high boys basketball coach) -- were presented and accepted.
In other matters, the board approved the Leetonia Wrestling Club the use of fieldhouse/locker room and gymnasium/cafetorium for the 2023-24 school year for dates as approved by the athletic director.
The Bear Breakfast is set for Dec. 9. All Leetonia students and their family members are invited to the event which will be held 9 to 11 a.m. Dunham said RSVP is asked from those planning to attend the second annual event which drew over 300 last year.
selverd@mojonews.com