EAST LIVERPOOL — Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig focused on student achievements when giving his report to the East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education during Thursday’s board meeting.

Ludwig noted that the district continues a cherished pottery tradition with the Bridge the Gap event on Friday. He said the event has been a tradition in the district since 1979 and brings the students and community together.

He was excited to tell the board about the Potter Book Nook, a new literacy initiative recently launched at LaCroft and North elementary schools and that Edward Garcia will be the commencement speaker for class of 2025 during the graduation ceremony on May 25.

Ludwig said the career tech students’ achievements at the SkillsUSA competition in Columbus made the district proud with Jacob Gibas and Jude Brown bringing home the bronze medal in Audio Radio Production; Aynsley Galeoti placing third in Nursing Assistant; Chloe Galeoti, Chasity Smith and Andre Reed placing fourth in Crime Scene Investigation and Samuel Adams placing sixth in Computer Programming.

It was an eventful month for ELCSD’s music department with kindergarten programs held on Friday at LaCroft and North, the recently held Music in our Schools concert, the ELHS Concert Band earning an overall II (excellent) and I (superior) in sight reading at the OEMA DS Adjudicated event, and the district hosting the Columbiana County Honors Band and Choir which welcomed talent from all across the county.

Three Potterbot robotics teams competed in a VEX tournament, with the Westgate team placing fourth in the elementary division and Kelsey Dozier being named coach of the year.

Ludig recognized the districts IMPACT Employees of the month who are Regina Anderson, Leona Quimby, Amy Taylor and Emily McCullough, all from Westgate; Ashley Kistler and Christina Vallera, both from LaCroft; and Robin Schwerha, Tammy Arthur and Jeff Wright from ELJHHS.

Ludwig also said that the Junior Achievement team at ELHS earned first place at the regional Titan Competition at Youngstown State University with Robert Nizer, teacher and students Hunter Estell and Deonte Slappy advancing to the national competition at Georgia State in June.

Ryan Finney, Job Training program teacher, addressed the board and invited all the board members to attend the Job Training banquet and see for themselves how well the students are doing and show their support to the students. He shared an update with board members on how the students are doing and the job placements some of the students have received.

The board members approved the financial report including appropriations resolution and amended certificate, cash summary and cash received, disbursement and receipts, and approval certificate and final appropriations as presented to them.

Also, during the finance portion of the meeting, the board approved the renewal authorizing the execution and delivery of a master electric energy sales agreement between the district and Power4schools’ endorsed electric supplier, Engie Resources LLC and a six-year contract with SAVVAS Learning company for the MyView Curriculum for fifth grade and MyPerspectives for sixth through eighth grades at a cost of $137,585.28.

During the personnel portion of the meeting the following resignations were accepted: Christa Collins, food service ELHS, effective March 12, 2025; Jason Croxall, gaming/E-Sports Club Junior High; Brad Conley, junior high social studies for retirement purposes effective May 30, with 33 years of service; Michelle Schaefer, junior high math for retirement purposes, effective May 30, with 32 years of service; and Morgan Pallo, school psychologist, effective July 31.

Board members also approved a number of coaches, volunteers, supplemental personnel, classified and administrative appointments, seasonal personnel and substitutes.

Also approved was the reduction of the position of board-certified behavior analyst for the 2025-2026 school year, phases one and two of the Johnson Controls Project BAS upgrades for North Elementary, transportation to and from the prom and an agreement with Quality Assured Grant Consulting for assistance in applying for the Ohio K-12 Comprehensive Literacy State Development Subgrant for fiscal years 2025-2029.

The board entered into an executive session for the purpose of discussing personnel matters and returned to the open meeting with no action taken.

The East Liverpool Board of Education meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Westgate Administration Building. The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 24.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com