Liberty

WHAT: Board of Education meeting Monday

PRESENT: David Malone, Janine Hamilton, Adam Earnhardt and John Simon

ABSENT: Hans Kirr

The board:

• Heard Superintendent Brian Knight read a resolution proclaiming January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month, encouraging all citizens to publicly and privately thank the school board members from all school districts serving the community for their dedicated service to children.

• Approved an agreement with the Trumbull County Board of Elections to allow the Liberty Youth Recreation and Impact Center to be used as polling place Location 42, Precincts Liberty B, D, E, G and N on May 5, 2026, for the primary election, Aug. 4, 2026, for the Special Election, and Nov. 3, 2026, for the general election.

• Authorized the purchase of a 72-passenger Conventional school bus chassis and body from the bids received through the Ohio Schools Council, via Myers Equipment Corporation, at the quoted price of $141,659.

• Approved advancing five days of sick leave to Merial De Jesus for the 2025-26 school year upon exhaustion of all available leave.

• Approved memorandums of understanding with Youngstown State University and Kent State University for the College Credit PLUS Dual Enrollment Program for the 2026-27 school year.

• Accepted Brittni Sample’s resignation as lunchroom and recess aide.

• Approved granting a one-year limited contract to Joseph Gentile as a bus driver, effective Aug. 1, 2025, through July 30, 2026, at a rate of $21.75 an hour.

• Accepted a donation from Donor’s Choose for the purchase of classroom essentials, books, food, clothing, hygiene necessities, storage, flexible seating, instructional technology, and more totaling $14,711.95 to the district’s classrooms.

— Brandon Cantwell

Vienna

WHAT: Township trustees meeting Jan. 5

PRESENT: Michael Haddle, Kim Ellis and Phil Pegg

Trustees:

• Elected Haddle as chairman of the board of trustees and Ellis as vice chairman.

• Amended a previous motion to approve an $884 increase to the 2025 general fund because of voided checks.

• Approved a $3,510 increase to the 2025 police fund because of voided checks.

• Approved a $3,175 increase to the 2025 fire fund by $3,175 because of voided checks.

• Approved reemploying Ron Fraser as road supervisor at a rate of $28 per hour and as cemetery sexton for $75 a month for 2026.

• Approved hiring Brian Darbey as full-time police chief at a rate of $29.50 an hour for 2026.

• Approved reemploying Lee Padula as a full-time road patrol sergeant at a rate of $27.50 an hour for 2026.

• Approved reemploying George Antonell as a part-time constable at a rate of $21.50 an hour for 2026.

• Approved reappointing Gus Birch as fire chief at a rate of $1,000 a month for 2026.

• Approved reemploying Mark Posey as a part-time zoning inspector at a rate of $600 per month for 2026.

• Approved reemploying Stephanie Garito as zoning secretary and assistant to the fiscal officer to work as needed at a rate of $16 an hour for 2026.

• Approved reappointing Dan Wilson to the township’s zoning board of appeals for a term ending Dec. 31, 2031.

• Approved reappointing Carl Hughes to the township’s zoning commission for a term ending Dec. 31, 2031.

— Brandon Cantwell