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WHAT: Board of Education meeting, April 18
PRESENT: Amie Crowder, Tonya Kline, Teresa Oakes, Mark Stimpert and Daniel Williams
The board:
• Approved new contracts for High School / Junior High Principal Rachael Rankin, five years Aug. 1 to July 31, 2029; High School / Junior High Assistant Principal Robert Bauman, three years Aug. 1, to July 31, 2027; Elementary Principal / Special Services Director Lori Wittt, five years Aug. 1, to July 31, 2029; Technology Coordinator / EMIS Director Shawn Donley, four years Aug. 1 to July 31, 2028; and Maintenance / Grounds Supervisor JoEllen Seidner, three years, Aug. 1 to July 31, 2027. Treasurer Ben Marko said the five employees will receive a 2% pay increase annually with increases for the 2024-25 year. Rankin pay will increase from $82,281 to $88,000; Bauman from $78,030 to $82,000; Witt from $86,700 to $92,000; Donley from $15,000 (EMIS) and $59,003 (Technology Director) to $77,0000 (both jobs combined, one contract instead of two); and Seidner from $45,257 to $48,000.
• Took first step to place a 10-year emergency renewal levy on the November general election ballot to raise $739,483 annually. Marko said the levy was previously a five-year levy. He said there is no increase in taxes.
• Employed Vicki (Dee) Howard as executive administrative assistant to the superintendent on a two-year contract effective July 1.
• Employed Jacob Connell as STEM and drone / entrepreneurship teacher for 2024-25 year.
• Approved Kaylin Williams as Curious Tiger program coordinator April 3 to May 23 at $40 per hour for an after-school intervention program paid by Title 1.
• Reduced the high school administrative assistant from 11 to 10 months for the 2024-25 year.
• Received donations of $2,000 each from the Newton Falls Amvets and Newton Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars to help with student cafeteria debt.
• Entered into an agreement with Trumbull County Educational Service Center at $646,117 for 2025 for special needs and other services.
• Approved the following field trips: high school criminal justice class to TCI Prison in Leavittsburg on Wednesday; high school career based class to Ohio Star Forge on April 30; and 136 students from K-5 building to Akron Zoo on May 20.