BUCKEYE BREAKFAST WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEES — The Buckeye Local School District held its New Employees Welcome Breakfast Thursday, recognizing new and returning faces to the staff. Among the new employees are, from left, front, Karleigh McCardle, Emily Burrier, Brianne Nidle and Rebecca Skipper; and back, T.J. Arnett, Kobe Hill, Christopher DiCenzo, Tyler Blanco, B.A. Holloway and Andy Long. Anthony Barsch will also begin as a new employee for the 2025-26 school year. -- Contributed

CONNORVILLE — Buckeye Local recognized its newest staff members during this year’s New Employee Welcome Breakfast, Thursday at Buckeye Local High School. Approximately 40 people attended the event, including 10 new teachers, school administrators, district leaders, staff members, board members, union representatives and Jefferson County Educational Service Center Superintendent Chuck Kokiko.

Buckeye Superintendent Coy Sudvary led in welcoming guests.

“One of our biggest concerns is turnover,” Sudvary began. “We try to focus on recruitment, retention and rewarding. He said new employees were filling seats left open due to retirements. “We’ve had a minimal amount of staff members leave, mostly due to retirement,” he explained. “I’m very confident in our new employees.”

The district hired 16 new employees for the 2025-26 school year.

Among the staff are district computer technician J.D. Nidle, treasurer’s assistant Brianne Nidle, Buckeye Local Junior High School Principal Andy Long, high school science teacher Tyler Blanco, math instructor Christopher DiCenzo, junior high social studies teacher Anthony Barsch, intervention specialist B.A. Holloway, Buckeye North and West Elementary preschool intervention specialist Rebecca Skipper, Buckeye South preschool intervention specialist Emily Burrier, Buckeye West autism unit intervention specialist Karleigh McCardle, education aides T.J. Arnett and Sarah Angel and fourth-grade teacher Kobe Hill.

Sudvary informed guests Wendy Besece and Andrea Halicky have been employed as full-time mental health coordinators for the district.

Kokiko outlined the ESC’s services and benefits, including coverage through the Jefferson Health Plan. The plan serves 100,000 employees and family members and is currently available in five states.

Kokiko provided information regarding the Virtual Learning Academy’s online program, which includes 7,000 students. He spoke about operating the alternative schools in Jefferson and Coshocton counties. He also noted the benefits of coordinating the OhioRISE Medicaid-managed care system, which provides services for children and youth with complex behavioral health and multisystem needs in an eight-county area. Those areas are Belmont, Carroll, Monroe, Harrison, Jefferson, Columbiana, Tuscarawas and Stark counties.

Kokiko mentioned the annual Best Practice Grants that are disbursed every year to three recipients in each of the participating school districts, including Buckeye Local. Awardees receive $650 each for innovative programs they implement within their classrooms. He wished the new staff at Buckeye well in the upcoming school year.

“This is our official start and I enjoy meeting the new staff and seeing the new energy,” Kokiko remarked. “If there is anything we can do at the ESC, let us know. I want to wish you a successful school year.”

Building principals had an opportunity to introduce their newest staff members, with high school Principal Luke Parsons recognizing Blanco and DiCenzo. Buckeye Junior High Principal Andy Long regcognized Barsch and Holloway.

North Elementary Principal Susan Nolan recognized Skipper, while South Elementary Principal Lori Roberts recognized Burrier. West Elementary Principal Brian DiCola recognized McCardle, Arnett and Hill.