Buckeye Local Board of Education organizes for year

DILLONVALE -- The Buckeye Local Board of Education regrouped during its first meeting of 2024.

Ashley West was re-elected president with Teresa George named vice president during the organizational session, and the board approved various operational policies to run the district. Several actions were taken during the subsequent regular session, which primarily included approving personnel.

Among employment matters, the board approved classified contracts with bus driver Gary Lucas obtaining a one-year pact and maintenance worker Jackson Otto and aide Samantha Yanik receiving continuing contracts for the district and Buckeye North Elementary, respectively. Resolutions were approved to hire Karen Barcus, Brooklynn Miller, Greta Gazda-Roe and Hailee Nelson as long-term substitute teachers for additional subsequent semester for the second semester of the 2023-24 school year, as well as to employ Jason Merryman as head cross country coach and Sam Jones as head golf coach at Buckeye Local High School.

Superintendent Coy Sudvary then honored officials for School Board Recognition Month for January and said the Ohio School Boards Association had certificates of appreciation for members. Nutrition Inc. provided dinner for members that evening and Sudvary lauded the leaders for their work.

"We appreciate your time and sacrifices for the students at Buckeye Local," he said. "It's a breath of fresh air to have a board that supports the staff, students and administration, so we appreciate you."

He also recognized December Employees of the Month including Luke Fabry at BLHS, Bob Fetty at Buckeye Local Junior High, Lindsey Breon at Buckeye North, Cindy Dompa at Buckeye South and Rebecca Donley at Buckeye West. He further announced no school on Jan. 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Feb. 19 for President's Day; parent-teacher conferences on Jan. 18 at BLJSHS from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the elementary schools from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and report cards on Jan. 20; said a district leadership team session was moved to Feb. 20; and announced that teachers and administrators would be attending the Ohio Tech Conference for the first time in years to learn about advancements in the classroom and other technology.

District Maintenance and Safety Director Tony Panepucci said painting was underway at the district office with plans set for the board room. He also added that several line breaks occurred over Christmas break which were likely linked to the Tri-County Water System's line break, but they were repaired. Panepucci said a safety meeting was set for Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m. at the building, weather permitting.

Board member Melissa Supanik then asked if the new cement added at school buildings would be damaged by the use of salt to treat ice during the winter. Panepucci responded that the material was an eco-friendly mix and it should not affect it.

• The board thanked Wells Township road crews and ABC Lawn Care for transporting and spreading mulch around the playground areas at South Elementary;

• Officials touted third-graders at South who were selected to be published in this spring's "Spooky Sagas" book;

• Buckeye Local Classroom Teachers Association President Gen Varkony said the organization received a wellness grant from the Eastern Ohio Education Association. She added that the BLCTA will also give two scholarships to graduates this year, including one for education majors and another for the grandchild of a past or current member;

• The board held an executive session on personnel and legal matters with no action taken;

• The next regular meeting was reset for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the district office.