LISBON — The Columbiana Board of Developmental Disabilities began its first meeting of the year on Wednesday by approving the operation of school-age services at the Robert Bycroft School for the 2026-2027 school year.

Superintendent Bill Devon said it is required by the state annually to announce by mid-February the intent to operate a school for the following year.

Board members approved the allocation of $14,000 for Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month activities in March. Devon said there would be activities and events held daily throughout the month including an employer recognition dinner to be held March 10 at the CCCTC to recognize employers who hire employees with developmental disabilities.

Devon said there are no negotiations right now but for budgeting purposes and because he likes to make known a year in advance what the board’s intentions are when the board approved management indexes for three years of 2.5% starting Jan. 1, 2027, Jan. 1, 2028, and Jan. 1, 2029.

Also approved was sponsorship of $2,000 for the St. Clair Police Department-sponsored Fifth Annual Autism Awareness event to be held at Beaver Local Schools, renewal of membership in the Ohio Providers Resource Association (OPRA) for a fee of $1,500 and to support the Brightside Project with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with $8,700.

Deven said the board has been doing this since the Brightside Project started with Imagination Library about four to five years ago and they pay about one-fifth of the total fee.

The board gave approval for board employee Samantha Rhodes to work an additional job outside of board hours. Devon noted that board requires this to ensure additional employment does not interfere or take place during board operating hours.

The board also approved the 2026 Annual Plan and payment of bills as presented to them.

The Celebration of Abilities Art Exhibit will be held at the Jewish Community Center in Youngstown, Ohio on Feb. 12 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through the board for a Phantoms Hockey game on Feb. 15 for $5 which includes game admission, a parking pass and a food voucher. The game will be a sensory-friendly game.

The DD staff versus the Comets games will be held at David Anderson High School on March 26 at 6 p.m.

Accreditation for board services will take place June 24-25.

Devon noted that the most an agency can get is a three-year accreditation, and he is hoping the board will get that again.

The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at the administration building, 7675 state Route 45, Lisbon. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Feb. 18.