LISBON — Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC) employees found eligible will now have the option to receive $2,000 for opting out of insurance.

By a 4-1 vote during the most recent ESC board meeting, the board passed a resolution allowing for a $2,000 stipend to eligible employees who choose not to receive medical, vision and dental insurance coverage.

Board member Robert Marra was the only opposing vote for the health insurance opt-out stipend according to minutes of the meeting posted online.

The stipend is being offered to employees receiving an alternate form of healthcare coverage, such as those who may be covered by a spouse’s insurance plan.

According to the resolution, employees will have the option to opt out of insurance coverage each year no later than Nov. 30 and will receive a $1,000 payment in June and the remaining $1,000 in December of that calendar year.

The opt-out would only be revoked for eligible employees upon the loss of spousal insurance coverage, the resolution stated.

In other matters, ESC Superintendent Marie Williams said in her report to the board that there has been difficulty finding a speech pathologist as most seem to be moving toward private practice.

ESC Treasurer Lucas Cooper also said in his report that there is a need for a speech pathologist for the Lisbon School District and that for now the services are being provided via virtual speech services through a contract with the Hamilton County ESC. The board approved the contract during the meeting.

Also according to the meeting minutes, Melissa Puhalla, who serves as preschool supervisor for the ESC, told the board that there are new requirements from the Ohio Department of Education pertaining to the early childhood tuition grant.

“This grant will require significantly more paperwork from our parents. Final Forms will help streamline this process,” she said.

In other matters, the board approved:

— The resignation of Jayma Marshall, effective Oct. 2, 2024.

— The resignation of Morgan Huffman, effective Nov. 12.

— The hiring of 11 people as paraeducators for the 2024-25 school year.

— Deborah McCartney for the Wellsville Federal Preschool Program at Wellsville.

— To hire Natalie Clark as a nurse aide for United Local Schools for the 2024-25 school year.

— To hire Rachel Dieringer for the Federal Preschool Program at Wellsville Schools for the 2024-25 school year.

— To hire Christina Owens as itinerant teacher for the 2024-25 school year.

— The fiscal year 2025 snow plowing contract with Rhodes Excavating Company.

The next meeting was set for 5 p.m. Nov. 19.