HANOVERTON — A lot of routine changes dominated Wednesday’s school board meeting in United Local School District, as it readies for their big move.

United Elementary School principal Mary Alice Sigler and board member RuthAnn Rinto, also a former district administrator, shared stories about their experiences working with Angela Phelps, who was retiring as a second-grade teacher. Both touted her dedication even to the most difficult of children.

The board celebrated Phelps’ retirement with cupcakes as well as those of fellow teachers Troy Brunner, Jacqueline Mercer and Denise Ward, who were not in attendance

In other action, board members approved the following measures unanimously except if noted otherwise:

— The district’s five-year forecast as required by the Ohio Department of Education.

— Transfers of funds from the General Fund to the Capital Improvements Fund of $2.61 million to facilitate the renovation of the third floor, gymnasium and auditorium; General Fund to Lunchroom Fund of $150,000 not only to resolve the current negative balance but pay for next school year; and General Fund to Athletic Fund of $50,000 to cover the current negative fund balance.

— A resolution allowing the utilization of the Southwestern Ohio Purchasing Council program to purchase school buses if needed.

— A letter of understanding with the United Education Association, allowing members to participate in a retirement incentive program that will pay $6,000 if notifying the district of intent to retire by June 1, 2025 in writing.

— Numerous fundraiser requests for the boys’ soccer fund, cheerleading fund, football fund and volleyball fund.

— Approved Todd Sarchet as a volunteer for the Washington D.C. field trip.

— Approved agreement with ACCESS agreement both voice and IT services, Frontier Communications for incoming phone services, the Columbiana County Educational Service Center for service for next school year,

— Approved numerous district policies and the state’s Special Education Model Policies and Procedures.

— Approved teacher education cooperation agreement with th University of Mount Union from Jan. 1, 2025 through Jun 30, 2028.

— Approved the 2025 graduating class pending all state and local requirements.

— Updated the National Honor Society bylaws for the district.

— Approved the job description for a STEAM teacher.

— Approved acceptance of revised Signing Naturally curriculum for the district’s American Sign Language courses

— Authorized the continued use of SHP and Hammond for the continued renovation to the third story building, gymnasium and auditorium.

— Approved increased athletic event ticket prices to $8 adult and $5 student for high school events and $5 each adult and student for middle school events for the 2025-26 school year.

— Approved linemen from the United Local football team to attend a camp June 20-21 at Bowling Green State University and the entire football team to attend Elkhorn Valley Christian Camp on July 14-16.

— Approved a one-year leave of absence for Jeni Greenwalt beginning on Aug. 26.

— Approved one-year contracts for Katherine Merickel and Connor Wright effective Aug. 25.

— Added Michelle Shasteen to the classified substitute list for the office and cafeteria.

— Agreed to employ Chris Cannon, Jesse Tilly, Brogan Nelson as summer technology help and Sydney Thompson as a summer building assistant on an as-needed basis.

— Awarded supplemental contracts to Harli Green, head middle school cheerleading coach; Maggie Hank, assistant varsity volleyball coach; Nicholas Hardgrove, assistant varsity volleyball coach; Sarah Jones, head varsity winter cheerleading coach; Corey Leek, head varsity girls’ basketball coach; Tyler Leitza, head varsity wrestling coach; Jennifer Milliken-Dees, head middle school volleyball coach; Jon Newburn, head middle school football coach; Stephanie Nunzir, freshman fall varsity cheerleading coach; Jordan Phillips, assistant varsity football coach; Jason Thompson, head varsity boys basketball coach; Cade Wood, head seventh-grade football coach; Travis Wright, assistant varsity girls soccer coach; Brock Rhodes, assistant middle school football coach (Rhodes abstained); Bill Andrea, varsity boys soccer assistant coach; Matt Brooks, varsity football assistant coach; Troy Brunner, head varsity volleyball coach; Samantha Cope, head seventh-grade volleyball coach; and, Brian Lippiatt Jr., Tyler Dickens and Travis Ellyson, assistant varsity football coaches.

— Approved athletic volunteers for the upcoming school year: Steven Blake, Zach Jewell, Angela Marshall and Dave Render.

— Agreed to change their next regular board meeting to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 25 at the media center in the new building.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com