WHAT: Board of education meeting Thursday

PRESENT: Elizabeth Dunn, Cory Freeman, Megan Gibbs, Steve Gilanyi and Terry Kelly

The board:

• Presented the “Award of Excellence” to senior Maclayne Warner and the “Mary Herner Leadership Award” to senior Erica Westenfelder. Herner was a school board member for 28 years. The awards recognize graduating seniors who show leadership and academic achievement.

• Approved a one-year agreement with the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office for a school resource officer for the 2025-26 school year. Superintendent Rocco Nero said the cost is being finalized.

• Reported the district received a $2,500 safety grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. The grant can be used for a school resource officer.

• Heard from Nero the district will house a special education elementary grades unit from Trumbull County Educational Service Center for the 2025-26 year. Nero said the students will be local residents.

• Approved a $500 stipend to teacher Renee Karr for the drone program. The district has had a drone team for several years.

• Approved a two-year contract for Steven Bear as transportation supervisor July 1 to June 30, 2027, which is 5.5-hour per day for 200 days per year.

• Approved a one-year contract to Michael Shipman as a science teacher.

• Heard from Dunn that state officials have discussed prohibiting cell phones in school classrooms.

• Set graduation at 7 p.m. May 22 at the school complex.

• Rescheduled the next meeting to 6 p.m. June 26 and canceled the July meeting.

— Bob Coupland