Board restructured — Buckeye Regional School District board members are making plans for this year. At the January board meeting, from front row left, Vice President Teresa George attended. President Ashley West. Also returning are Brooke Stingle, Clint Powell, and Melissa Spanik. — Contribution
DILLONVALE — The Buckeye Regional School Board was reorganized at its first meeting in 2024.
Ashley West was reelected as president, Teresa George was appointed vice president during the organizational meeting, and the board approved various operating policies to run the district. At the subsequent regular meeting, several measures were taken, mainly approving personnel matters.
Among employment issues, the board recommended that bus driver Gary Lucas receive a one-year contract, and that maintenance worker Jackson Otto and aide Samantha Yanik be assigned to the district and Buckeye North Elementary School, respectively. approved a confidential contract to obtain a continuation of the contract. Hiring Karen Berkus, Brooklyn Miller, Greta Gazda-Rowe, and Haley Nelson as additional long-term substitute teachers for the second semester of the 2023-24 school year, and Jason as principal. A resolution to hire Mr. Merryman was approved. Sam Jones served as the country coach and head golf coach for Buckeye local high schools.
Superintendent Coy Sudbury then recognized staff for January's School Board Recognition Month and said the Ohio School Board Association presented certificates of appreciation to its members. That evening, Nutrition served dinner to members, and Mr. Sudbury praised the work of the leaders.
“Thank you for your time and sacrifice for the students of Buckeye Local.” He said. “Having a board that supports our staff, students, and administration is a breath of fresh air, and we are grateful.”
He also recognized Luke Fabry from BLHS, Bob Fetty from Buckeye Local Middle School, Lindsey Breon from Buckeye North, Cindy Dompa from Buckeye South, and Rebecca from Buckeye West. Employees of the Month for December were recognized, including Mr. Donley and others. Additionally, they announced that schools would be closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 15th and President's Day on February 19th. Parent-teacher conferences will be held at BLJSHS from 3:30pm to 7pm on January 18th, at the elementary school from 4:30pm to 8pm, and report cards will be submitted on January 20th. He said the district leadership team meeting has been rescheduled for Feb. 20. And he announced that teachers and administrators will be attending the Ohio Tech conference for the first time in years to learn about advances in classroom and other technology.
District Maintenance and Safety Director Tony Panepucci said painting is underway at the district office and plans are being made for the boardroom. He also added that several breaks occurred over the Christmas holiday, possibly related to breaks in the Tri-County Water System, but have been repaired. Panepucci said a safety meeting will be held at the building on Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Board member Melissa Spanik then asked if using salt to treat ice during the winter would damage new cement being added to the school building. Panepucci responded that the material is an environmentally friendly mixture and should not impact the environment.
• The board thanked Wells Township road crews and ABC Lawn Care for transporting and spreading mulch in the South Elementary School playground area.
• Officials promoted the South School third-graders who were selected to be featured in this spring's magazine. “Spooky Saga” Book;
• General Balcony, president of the Buckeye Regional Classroom Teachers Association, said the organization received health grants from the Eastern Ohio Education Association. She added that BLCTA plans to award two scholarships to this year's graduates. One for education majors and one for grandchildren of past or present members.
• The board held an executive meeting regarding personnel and legal matters, but no action was taken.
• The next regular meeting has been rescheduled to be held at the district office on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
