CHAMPION — Throughout the school year, students at the Trumbull Career & Technical Center can attend enrichment classes on scheduled Fridays, which are known as “Flex Fridays.”

Rachel Rankin, dean of students at TCTC, said the enrichment programs are taught by current staff or guest speakers visiting the center.

The students alternate Fridays, with the freshmen and juniors attending classes one Friday and sophomores and seniors attending another Friday.

Rankin said students could take part in pickleball, yoga, painting or hear from guest speakers such as someone who has a career in the military or a tattoo artist discussing their career. Flex Fridays gives the students exposure to higher education and industry career pathways, she said.

Rankin said plans are to have the Flex Fridays once each nine weeks.

In other business at the November board meeting, board member Thomas Hart, representing McDonald Local Schools, said he will be leaving the board at the end of the year.

Hart, who has been connected with the center since 1980, began as a teacher and became a member of the board after retiring.

“I have seen so many great changes here. This school has done so much for the community. You are all winners,” Hart said to the staff at the meeting.

Hart said he wants to give someone new a chance to be on the school board from McDonald.

Superintendent Jason Gray said he doesn’t know what the center will be like without Hart in some capacity after 45 years. He and others said Hart has been an asset to the board.

In other matters, board members Amie Crowder, representing Newton Falls, and Al Haberstroh, representing Southington, attended the Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus.

Crowder said she and Haberstroh are fighting for public education and the funds for public schools that are being taken away and used for paying for students to attend charter and private schools.

“We need to gain ground with public legislation. The OSBA opposes legislation that takes away funding for children who attend public schools,” Crowder said.

Haberstroh said property tax changes are another concern since schools receive funds from property taxes.

He said there are concerns if property tax is placed on a future election ballot and approved by voters less property tax will be supporting the schools.

Also, High School Director Paula Baco reported the Vision to Learn eye exam mobile van program had each student get screened for their vision and 170 students were identified for needing glasses.

Baco said 40 to 50 pairs of glasses were recently provided to students.