Howland

WHAT: Board of Education organizational meeting Monday

PRESENT: Julie Altawil, Jeff Pegg, Wendy Miller and Brianne Perry

ABSENT: Ken Jones

The board:

• Accepted the following donations: $100 from Mary Fuller of Howland Schools Retirees to Charisse Mayhew of the Hubbard High School Pantry for items; $150 from Deborah McCullough to the high school’s family and consumer science class for Baking for Veterans Outlook — Our Cookie Project; $500 from the Howland Classroom Teachers’ Association to Carl Clark of Howland Springs Primary School to help build its “Tiger Reading Woods”; a separate $500 and $3,000 donation from Ken and Michelle Jones for gym floors and a steel drum band; food, supplies and educational materials from United Way of Trumbull County to the Paw Pantry; and $22,535 from Partners Advocating and Working for Students for the district, as part of the organization’s dissolution.

• Approved disposing of withdrawn books from the Howland Middle School Library and obsolete equipment from the district’s technology department.

• Approved FMLA for Rebecca Murray from Dec. 19 to Jan. 4.

• Approved FMLA for Michelle Felicetty from Dec. 12 to Jan. 11.

• Approved Adam and Sharon Siegfried as robotics volunteers for the 2025-26 school year.

• Approved setting 5:30 p.m. Jan. 5 as the board’s organizational meeting at the district’s administration building, with the regular board meeting to follow.

• Approved an additional services agreement with the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio’s governing board and the district, amended Nov. 20.

— Brandon Cantwell

McDonald

WHAT: Board of education meeting Dec. 17

PRESENT: Donna Shields, Michael Morris, Nick Gallo, Jessica Krumpak and Kristina Merola

The board:

• Heard from Superintendent Gary Carkido on proposed future projects for the school district, which include purchasing a new bus, parking lot improvements between the high school and elementary school, improvements to the high school auditorium lower level and fixing the flat roof at the elementary school.

• Appointed Shields as representative to the Trumbull Career & Technical Center board for one year, replacing Thomas Hart, who stepped down.

• Received more than $1,500 in donations from individuals, businesses and organizations for the National Honor Society Feed the Need fundraiser walk and run, with proceeds benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank.

• Approved S&S Tree Service for salting parking lots for $250, snowplowing 2 to 5 inches for $450 and 5 to 10 inches for $550.

— Bob Coupland

Southington

WHAT: Township trustees meeting Dec. 10

PRESENT: Charles Hagman, Cindy Speaker and Dan Tietz

Trustees:

• Heard from fire Chief Scott Bower that starting Jan. 1 the fire department will have part-time firefighters on staff. He said the department is prepared to provide more coverage with its own staff after relying on neighboring communities.

• Heard from Bower of many calls for speeding-related accidents at the intersection of Routes 422 and 305, including a recent fatal accident.

• Discussed septic system updates at the fire station at a cost of $30,000, with American Rescue Plan funds to be used.

• Reported town hall remodeling work is continuing with new lighting, flooring and painting done.

• Set the organizational meeting for 5:30 p.m. Jan 7.

— Bob Coupland

Warren Township

WHAT: Township trustees November / December meetings

PRESENT: Kay Anderson, Ryan Yoho and Ed Anthony

Trustees:

• Heard from Terry Ambrose, a former trustee, who thanked Anderson for her 28 years of service, saying she has looked out for the residents and their concerns. Anthony said Anderson has been a mentor to him and also was active in the fight against the landfill and the Leavittsburg Dam.

• Heard from resident Rich Ritchie, who was concerned with dead trees on the sides of Eagle Creek Road, with some being held up by power lines. He said for safety reasons, they need to be removed.

• Heard from Zoning Inspector Tyler Wilson that he has addressed five properties that have been in poor condition and some that will be demolished.

• Heard from Wilson the county has available funds to assist low-income households with roofing and siding issues.

— Bob Coupland