Indian Creek bids goodbye to board members
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WINTERSVILLE -- The Indian Creek Board of Education bid farewell to two of its members as Kim Mark and Bob Smith held their final meeting on Thursday.
Mark, a 28-year veteran and current board vice president, and Smith, a 14-year member and past president, are stepping down from their respective seats. They were recognized during the session at Indian Creek High School and received hand-carved wooden bells from Warther Carvings of Sugarcreek and a cake as tokens of appreciation. Superintendent T.C. Chappelear praised them for their dedication and said they have served the school system well.
"I thank them for their years of service and appreciate the time they've put in," Chappelear added. "I believe they are why we are where we are as a board."
Mark said her last meeting was bittersweet, but she looked forward to moving on.
"I'm excited but also a bit sad," she said. "I'm a product of Indian Creek."
The school system has been a major part of her life from the time she joined the original first-grade class at a newly opened Hills Elementary to her turn as a PTA member when her own son began school. Mark and her husband, Rick, both graduated from Mingo Junction High School and she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Wright State University in Dayton. She and her spouse returned to the area to live because they wanted their son, Matthew, to also get an education in the district. Mark has worked as a recovery nurse for Trinity Medical Center West and her involvement with the PTA led to joining the school board, where she has become the longest-serving woman on the panel.
"I was involved in PTA and attended [school board] meetings. I was interested in what the board wanted to do and I've always had a passion for Indian Creek. That's how I got involved."
She ultimately ran for office and served with five superintendents, citing past and current administrators from Joe Roshak, Court Stewart, John Rocchi and Jene Watkins to Chappelear and current Assistant Superintendent John Belt as the "best," plus she noted her appreciation for board members and further pride for school leaders, staff and teachers.
"They really care about our kids and education," she commented.
During her tenure, she would witness the construction of new buildings with the most recent projects at ICHS, Cross Creek Elementary and renovations at Hills among the highlights, as well as the expansion of the high school marching band and school programs.
Although she will no longer be on the board, she will continue to represent Creek as a community representative on the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School Board. She will have more time to spend with her son and grandchildren, Caroline and Maverick.
"One of my main goals was having new schools built and I'm thankful to the community members, and now feel confident about leaving. I'm excited and believe the two new members will do a fine job."
Meanwhile, Smith said interaction with a past leader inspired him to serve on the board.
"(Former Superintendent) Jene Watkins suggested it," he recalled. "There came an opening and I put my name in."
Someone else was selected for the spot, but Smith would later run and win a seat on the board. Like Mark, he considers the construction and renovation of schools as the major milestones during his service and said he was proud to work with the board and schools.
"We have a very professional board and three brand-new schools and one renovation for $10 million. We got the schools built because we had pillars of the community come out and a lot of people worked behind the scenes."
When it comes to his history, Smith graduated from Mingo High School and attended the Air Force Academy, then studied at the University of Pittsburgh on an Air Force Institute of Technology scholarship. He received a master's degree in industrial engineering and became a project manager of a B2 systems program at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton but returned to aid his parents.
Smith opted not to serve as an instructor at the Air Force Academy and would stay in the area to work with Edison Local Schools, Jefferson County Regional Planning and currently McKinley Architects and Engineering in Wheeling. He has one daughter, Madison, an ICHS grad and recent alumna of Montana State University with a civil engineering degree whom he also prides as a member of the high school's state championship track team.
Smith is also departing his post as Mingo Junction's village administrator but will remain involved in the community as a Steubenville Township trustee while also serving as commander of the Mingo American Legion Post 351. After more than a decade with ICBOE, he said he was ready to hang up his hat.
"I was honored to be a board member and we have one of the best boards in the state of Ohio. I enjoyed my time, but I thought it was time to go. (Being a trustee) is my new venture and we'll see where that takes me."
Mark and Smith will be succeeded by Steve Cowser and James Speece, who were elected in November. The board will hold an organizational meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 11 at ICHS with member Daniel Bove serving as president pro tempore.