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Liberty
WHAT: Board of Education June 29 meeting
PRESENT: Adam Earnhardt, Janine Hamilton, Hans Kirr, David Malone and John Simon
The board:
• Approved participation in the Community Eligibility Provision for the 2026-27 school year, allowing all students to receive no-cost meals.
• Adopted a resolution to join the "Vouchers Hurt Ohio" lawsuit by the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding, challenging the constitutionality of the state's EdChoice voucher program, at a cost of $2 per pupil.
• Approved final grant allocations for Title I, Title I-D, Title II-A, IDEA-Part B, Title IV-A, Title III, Early Childhood Special Education, and Early Childhood Education for the 2025-26 school year.
• Approved final appropriations for FY2026 and temporary appropriations for FY2027.
• Declared lists of old mathematics manuals, 1999 American History textbooks, and 2002 Magruder's American Government textbooks obsolete and authorized their disposal.
• Approved a one-year agreement with AARIS Therapy Group of Niles for speech, occupational therapy and behavioral services from Aug. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, at specified hourly rates, not to exceed an annual total of $218,000.
• Approved a one-year agreement with Cadence Care Network of Niles for school social work, resiliency programming and behavioral health support for the 2026-27 school year, at a cost not to exceed $48,000.
• Accepted the resignation of teacher Gianna Guerrieri, effective June 30, 2026.
• Granted one-year limited teaching contracts for the 2026-27 school year to John Murphy, Sheridan Myers, Kylie Gardner and Jennifer Mastell.
• Approved licensed substitutes Alfonso Macias, third grade, and Jacob Benson, K-4 Music, for the 2026-27 school year.
• Approved several classified substitutes for the 2026-27 school year, including bus drivers, bus aides and administrative support.
• Approved Jeremy Morris as a classified substitute custodian for summer 2026.
• Accepted donations totaling $10,168 from Donor's Choose for classroom basics, technology and learning materials.
• Approved a resolution to submit a five-year, $740,680 renewal emergency tax levy to voters on the Nov. 3 ballot for district current expenses, commencing in tax year 2026 with first collection in 2027.
• Accepted the resignation of Gabriella Sandy, effective June 30.
• Granted a one-year limited teaching contract to Zachary Grant for music instruction in grades 5-12 at a salary of $39,980, effective July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, to replace Sandy.
-- Brandon Cantwell
Niles
WHAT: Board of Education meeting June 30
PRESENT: Kimberly Barrell, Sarah Conroy, Michele Lamb, Mary Ann McMahon and Christopher Parise
The board:
• Established fiscal year 2027 funds for Title VI-B, Title I, Title IV-A and Title II-A.
• Accepted the resignation of Samantha Naples, attendant and educational assistant at Niles Intermediate School, effective Aug. 12.
• Accepted the resignation of Devona Sprecacenere, an assistant custodian at Niles Middle School, effective Aug. 8.
• Approved hiring nine permanent substitute teachers on an as-needed basis for the 2026-27 school year, effective Aug. 18.
• Hired Stacey Biery as an educational assistant at Niles Primary School on a one-year limited contract at step 10, effective Aug. 14.
• Hired Chyanne Mease as an attendant and educational assistant at Niles Primary School on a one-year limited contract at step zero, effective Aug. 14.
• Hired Terry Fisher as a special education assistant at Niles Intermediate School on a one-year limited contract at step 5, effective Aug. 14.
• Hired Rebecca Martin as a school bus driver on a one-year limited contract at step 5, effective Aug. 14.
• Approved Michael Shargo to assist the technology department on an as-needed basis for the 2026-27 school year, capped at 30 days or $4,800.
• Authorized the treasurer to pay staff participating in the Aug. 3 kindergarten registration and screening at their per-diem rates.
• Approved IRS-rate mileage reimbursements for employees using personal vehicles for school business during the 2026-27 school year.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Cadence Care Network to provide social work, resiliency programming and behavioral health supports for the 2026-27 school year.
• Approved membership and voucher dues for the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding for fiscal year 2027.
• Scheduled the next regular board meeting for 6 p.m. July 28, at the district's administration building.
-- Brandon Cantwell