Trending
LEETONIA -- Leetonia Exempted Village Schools Superintendent Dennis Dunham took a moment during Wednesday's Board of Education meeting to express grief over the homicide shooting death of district teacher Michelle Long and gratitude to the staff and students for coming together to support each other in the wake of tragedy.
"Thank you to the students, staff and entire Leetonia community for the support they have given to Michelle Long and her family as we navigated through her tragic passing," he said. "Her loss will be felt for a long time and through it we have developed tighter relationships with our staff, our students and the extended family we call Leetonia Schools. It was a difficult time but tighter relationships were forged and will continue to be that way."
Long served as the Leetonia High School math/STEM/industry teacher, junior high robotics coach and junior high track coach. The news of her death hit the school hard. Long was shot and killed in November at her Salem-area home.
In other news, the board approved modifications to the student handbook, effective next semester, regarding student code of conduct. The changes are to address the increasing use of vape and THC products by the students and includes mandatory education and cessation programs for students if caught.
The board also embraced the future of robotics in the district by approving the creation of a Robotics Club fund account and approving Ronald W. Lee as the robotics coach (at the both the junior high and high school levels) and approving Brandy Lee as robotics chaperone.
The board also approved a total of $550 in donations earmarked for various school programs, the 2024 OSBA annual membership dues and Virtual Transportation Supervisor in the amount of $5652, the treasurer's reports, a snow removal bid from Sodbusters Landscaping and retroactive compensation for Breyle Merritt as a game worker for services rendered for the 2022-2023 year to correct an oversight.
Outgoing board member Dan Votaw was recognized and commended for his service to the district.