LISBON – The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities Wednesday approved multiple personnel hires.

The board approved the creation of a new management level position for communications, compliance and information manager along with establishing the pay scale. The board then approved Marci Higgins for the position.

The board also approved Kristen Kuntzman and Kacie Honeywell as Instructor IVs at the Robert Bycroft School, a contract renewal/update for the director of education/principal and youth behavioral specialist Julie Shea as early intervention childhood director for two years, a new floater instructor assistant position at the Robert Bycroft School.

Additionally, the board approved a contract with Finalsite to replace the former on-call communications system at a cost of $7,000 annually. According to Superintendent William Devon, the previous service provided gave notice in mid-March they would no longer be opening after April. The new services will also allow for mass email and newsletters in addition to all-calls.

Board members gave their approval of the revised County Board Funded Admissions Agreement for Developmental Centers for fiscal year 2027 with a three percent increase matching the expected cost-of-living increase for state employees.

The board voted to sponsor the fifth annual Ability Walk and Roll as a diamond sponsor for $10,000 as they have since the event began. The Ability Walk and Roll will take place on Aug. 8 at the 717 Credit Union Field at Eastwood Mall in Niles.

The board approved the renewal of their Health, Vison and Dental plan for the Stark COG with a 4 percent increase in the rate and also approved to renew liability insurance with the Ohio School Plan at a cost of $10,938, which is $1,175 less than the previous year’s cost.

Hissom Roofing and Construction was approved to fix the roof on EDI South at a cost of $49,500.

A 2012 Ford Focus no longer needed for board operations was approved to be sold, and two 2014 Ford Focuses with transmission problems for which repairs would not be cost effective were approved to be scrapped.

Board members approved the contract with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center Governing Board for paraeducators, speech, physical, occupational and psych services for early intervention only.

Minutes from the previous meeting and the financial report were approved as presented.

There was no new or old business from the board and no old business from the superintendent.

Superintendent announcements included board in-service is to be held on July 8 and there will be no board meeting in July due to in-service, the Journey of Hope will be held Aug. 1 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Fairhaven School, board accreditation will take place June 24 and 25 and a new position of shared reading specialist/literacy intervention administrator is being developed to share between the Columbiana and Mahoning counties boards of developmental disabilities.

The Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities meets the third Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m. at the CCBDD Administration Building, 7675 state Route 45, Lisbon. There will be no July meeting. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 19.