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LISBON -- With 2024 winding down, the Columbiana County Educational Services Board looked forward to a new year and new beginnings, while pausing to reflect on a bittersweet ending during its December meeting Tuesday.
Superintendent Anna Marie Vaughn, who announced her retirement effective Jan. 1 earlier this year, exchanged emotional moments with board members, as her career was celebrated, gratitude expressed and goodbyes said.
"It's been a great time to see all the good things that have happened. I had a mentor that once said to me that the most satisfaction he ever got was to watch other people succeed and find their passion," she said. "He never really wanted to take the credit for it, but wanted to see other people be able to find their passion. And I think of that."
Vaughn's career at the ESC has spanned 37 years. She has served as a consultant, supervisor, director of special education and assistant superintendent before stepping into her current role in 2004.
"When I took the position, I was told why would you want to work here for 12 months when you can work nine months as a teacher and probably make more money, and I said it's not like I was going to stay forever but here it is 2023 and it's been forever," Vaughn said.
ESC current assistant superintendent Marie Williams, who has been pegged to replace Vaughn, said that she is excited about her new role but sad to see her predecessor go.
"I am looking forward to Jan 1, obviously, but I have big shoes to fill," Williams said. "I thank Anna Marie for mentorship and guidance."
Board member Jackie Mercer echoed those sentiments.
"I just want to thank Anna Marie for everything she's done as a superintendent. As a teacher I got to participate in a lot different programs and training. It's just amazing all the things that happen in our little tiny county and that's because of the leadership and all the wonderful things you have done here," Mercer said. "I've been dreading this meeting. Marie is going to be awesome but I also don't want to say goodbye. It's bittersweet because you deserve every single moment of retirement. I grew as a teacher because of the things that were offered here under your leadership so thank you for everything."
ESC Board President Richard Stoudt, who has worked alongside Vaughn for decades, said that over the years Vaughn and the ESC have became one.
"I never met a person who is so universally recognized. Whether it's in this county, neighboring counties or Columbus," he said. "Wherever I go and say 'Columbiana County ESC,' they say 'Anna Marie Vaughn' and that's wonderful. That's a tribute to you. I don't know how to match that legacy."
While Stoudt questioned how to match Vaughn's legacy, he didn't question how to honor it.
"Going forward, our annual recognition and scholarship breakfast will be known as the Anna Marie Vaughn Heads Up Recognition and Awards. We will do that more formally in the very near future," he said.
Stoudt called the annual awards presentation indicative of Vaughn's decades-long contribution to public education.
The board also wished luck to outgoing board member Aaron Hinchcliff, who also had warm words for Vaughn.
"It was my grandpa who inspired me to run and it's just been a great experience. You have all been great mentors. I've learned a lot from you and I am very appreciative of everyone taking me seriously," Hinchliffe said. "When I filed my petition, I was 18. Anna Marie called me that week and she brought me in and we spoke and I didn't feel like a student. I felt like I was on level ground and I seriously respected and appreciated it."
In other matters, the board accepted and approved several treasurer items, including paying the November bills ($1,123.108), a three-year service contract with Johnson Controls and a memorandum of understanding with the Big Reach Center of Hope's Food for Thought for the ESC ARP Homeless II consortium. Through a partnership with local schools and student volunteers, Big Reach Center of Hope's Food for Thought package food bags for students needing additional nutritional support over the weekends.
The board also tackled multiple personnel issues, including approving Sara Bushaw and Taylor Hostetter as candidates for a preclinical Title I field experience, approving student teachers Elizabeth Mostella, Kaedance Boso and Garcin Adams and accepting the retirement of Linda Barkley. The board also accepted two resignations (Shannon Troy and Daiel Viets), approved the hiring of Shoshana Fineman as a Spanish tutor and Joe Warchol to serve as technology director post-retirement. A tuition agreement between the ECS and Ashland University also received approval as did a contract for Sheri Lamoncha to provide instruction services for the 21st-Century grant. Two new vendors - Salty's Mama's Snacking and Camryn's Cocoa Creation -- were added to the consignment store.