CHAMPION — The Trumbull Career and Technical Center Board of Education has named Newton Falls High School Principal Rachael Rankin as the new dean of students effective Aug. 4.

Rankin was hired on a three-year contract at $96,955.

Rankin replaces David Phillips who worked 23 years with TCTC and retired. He accepted an administrative position with Austintown schools.

Joseph Bettura was granted a new three-year contract as assistant dean of students effective Aug. 4. Bettura will be paid $92,534.

Bettura had been serving as assistant dean of students.

The board approved a revised 10-month dean of students and 10-month assistant dean of students description for the 2025-26 school year.

Superintendent Jason Gray said the two positions used to be 12-month contracts, but indicated they were changed because there is less need for the positions in the summer when students are not in the building.

Fiscal Officer Cody Holecko said Bettura took a small pay cut

to accept the position as he was on step 20 of the teacher salary schedule, so years of experience were given to him to make up the monetary value as he was already doing the job.

He said the two positions are close in pay, but different.

In other business, board president Brooke Vondrasek — also chair of the high school programs — said that the new aviation / drone program and digital marketing program which both marked their first years at TCTC for the 2024-25 have doubled the number of students for the upcoming school year.

The board also approved an agreement with the Trumbull County Health Department that the career center be a crisis center site during major disasters.

The board heard from Secondary Director Paula Baco that Kris Doran of Girard, an interactive multi-media instructor at the center, will be honored at the State Board of Education Ohio Association of Career and Technical Education meeting July 22.

Doran, a career teaching educator, is a finalist from Zone 9 in Ohio for Career Education Teacher of the Year for 2026.

Doran has been with the center since 2012 and has been a leader with Business Professionals of America.

Baco said Doran and his students do podcasts for the school.

The board also passed a motion opposing House Bill 335 with members indicating the effects on public education.

Board member Thomas Hart said more school districts need to pass similar motions against the bill noting concerns of negative impacts on public schools.

House Bill 335 aims to eliminate inside millage, the amount homeowners can be taxed without voter approval. The state constitution allows local governments to levy up to 10 mills — or 1% of a property’s value — before going to the ballot.

Board member Al Haberstroh said he has concerns with the stability of the state budget.