WINTERSVILLE — The Indian Creek Local School Board of Education is looking ahead to the new year as classes begin.

During Thursday’s regular session at Indian Creek High School, Superintendent T.C. Chappelear gave an overview of the programs in store as school starts.

“It’s really going to be a busy year for all of our schools,” said Chappelear. “The Leader in Me program kicked off and Sept. 27 is the first all-district day for that. We’re really excited.”

The district is implementing the school improvement model by Utah-based FranklinCovey Education that focuses on the universal challenges of academics, culture and leadership. The initiative will unfold during the next four years and incorporate teachers and youth to drive involvement among students and staff, build a high-trust environment in schools and student achievement and improve learning. For now, only educators are taking part at Hills and Cross Creek elementary schools and students will join in the future. Indian Creek Middle and High Schools have involved grades six through 12 while fifth-graders will be added later. More sessions are slated throughout the year and groups known as Lighthouse teams are discussing ways to utilize practices and enable students to be college-, career-, community- and life-ready. Chappelear lauded teachers, staff and students for participating.

He added that Hills and Cross Creek teachers were working on assessment tools including the Science of Reading and Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills and educators were working with Step By Step Learning. Chappelear continued that ICMS had a new schedule and several new programs and the hellbender program was ramping up at the high school, giving students a chance to help save an endangered species. The tank and related equipment were being installed he said district schools will also be a part of the process, while a ceremony will be held to highlight the program at a future date.

“We have a lot to look forward to this year,” he said.

The first day for the district is Wednesday while grades K-4 begin on Friday and preschool will start Sept. 5.

Among other action, the board approved memorandums of understanding with the Indian Creek Education Association regarding online teaching and a change in state law regarding the state minimum salary schedule for the 2023-24 school year. Ohio Association of Public School Employees President Judy Johnson questioned the memorandums, especially whether support staff would benefit from the minimum salary change. Chappelear explained that the online-related pact was adjusted mainly at the high school for credit recovery while the second was to meet the minimum salary schedule set forth in H.B. 33, the state biennial budget. He said Indian Creek and several other local districts were among those working to meet the requirements, which were small percentages, and offered to provide Johnson information to explain the bill and for Johnson to research further.

In other matters:

• The board approved several faculty, classified, substitute and supplemental posts, including Kerry Thomas and Mason Balzano, social studies teachers at Indian Creek Middle School; Amy Roe, a second-grade teacher at Hills Elementary; Mason Balzano, ICMS social studies; Chelsea Connor and Megan Maykowski, long-term substitutes at Cross Creek Elementary; Carole Craig, cook/cashier at CCE; Lara Finney, paraprofessional/MH teacher’s aide at Hills; Jaimie Flesher, paraprofessional (special needs) at ICMS; Lynnette Still, paraprofessional at Hills; Joan Workman, bus attendant; Ashlena Moore, cafeteria, secretary and paraprofessional classified sub. Continuing contracts were granted for paraprofessional Kimberly Constantine and cook/cashier Patricia Molinaro while before-and-after school care staff named were Bernadine Fluharty and Ruth Rees at Hills, Melissa Kernen at CCE, Brenda Hyde at Hills and Christina Keyser at CCE with subs Linda Scarabino at Hills and Kimberly Constantine at CCE. Extra-duty supplemental contracts went to Brittany Pearson-Baker as ICMS Media Club and Closer Look adviser. Supplemental contracts were given to Tyler Ossman and Kenny Davis as freshman football coaches (half-position) and Trevor Francis as ICHS assistant boys’ soccer coach with a correction to Tom Winland as eighth-grade football coach at ICMS. Meanwhile, resignations were approved from ICMS social studies teacher Alexander Bodnar, CCE preschool teacher Brianna Keller, paraprofessionals Jamie Spencer and Christina Geary and ICHS assistant boys soccer coach Cody Shanley;

• A resolution was passed authorizing the Jefferson County Educational Service Center to serve as the hiring agency for the district for certified/licensed substitute employees, to provide special education services and additional certified occupational therapy assistant services for the school year;

• Bus routes and stops were approved for the 2023-24 school year with any adjustments as needed;

• Assistant Superintendent John Belt updated the board on district-wide projects, including the completion of blacktopping at the middle and high schools, some corrective work at Cross Creek Elementary and masonry work at the new softball field. However, he added that flooring work in the ICMS gym would not be finished until September and officials were planning for alternative sports and physical education venues. Belt also noted the owner of Snyder Tire Co. was reviewing land near ICHS for an additional bay at the business.

• The board approved a maintenance agreement with HE Neumann for HVAC services;

• ICMS Principal Holly Minch-Hick announced that the Sycamore Youth Center, which is a community partner, received a 21st Century Learning Grant to provide afterschool programming at the school;

• District Treasurer Denise Todoroff said the annual audit was under way.