BOARD REORGANIZES — Leading the Indian Creek Local School District board this year are, from left, Dr. Ted Starkey; Dr. John Figel, president; James Speece; Stephen Cowser, vice president; and Daniel Bove. -- Contributed

MINGO JUNCTION — Dr. John Figel will serve his third term as president of the Indian Creek Board of Education with Stephen Cowser selected as vice president during an organizational session on Jan. 9.

Dr. Ted Starkey served as president pro tempore at the start of the meeting at Indian Creek Middle School when Figel was sworn in as his successor by district Treasurer Adam Lewis, then Figel administered the oath of office to Cowser, who replaces Daniel Bove in that position.

Figel has been with the school board since 1992 and previously held seats as president and vice president in previous years. He said he was now looking ahead to the future.

“It looks to be a promising year, and we’ll keep building on,” he said. “We’re going to keep moving forward and I’m glad to be here. I want us to keep making progress.”

Cowser, who was a past assistant principal and principal at Indian Creek High School, has served on the school board for the past two years and was excited to begin his term as vice president.

“I’m happy to be able to contribute to the progress of the Indian Creek Local School District and working with the other board members is always a delight,” he commented.

Officials also approved a series of operational matters to carry the district through the remainder of the year. During the regular meeting which immediately followed, Superintendent T.C. Chappelear touted officials for School Board Appreciation Month that is being observed during January. He also presented certificates to members from the Ohio School Boards Association.

“The board does a fantastic job. The job of superintendent is closely tied to the board, and this board makes it easy to be superintendent of Indian Creek,” Chappelear added. “I appreciate all you do and Indian Creek is in a good place, and that’s a result of your leadership.”

In other business:

• ICMS Principal Holly Minch-Hick said three Club Days activities have been held and student organizations have been bustling with activities including carol singing at the school and a local nursing home, a fundraiser for the Chess Club, creating banners for the building and posting lost-and-found items on Facebook. Other events included sports invitationals, band concerts and school trips;

• District Food Service Director Nicole Marshall said the number of lunches increased by 2,000 meals during December and she was planning a Chinese New Year menu for Jan. 29, plus she was prepping foods for literacy night in February;

• Bove recognized the high school cheering squad for placing first at the MAC Competition at Edison High School and the football team for making Academic All Ohio for the 14th straight year while Starkey lauded the wrestling team for winning the tri-county meet at Harrison Central High School;

• Chappelear unveiled a copy of the Creek Chronicle newspaper created by ICMS students under the auspices of adviser Jaime McCumbers;

• Lewis presented his first treasurer’s report, saying the district would remain in the black under present calculations;

• The board agreed to continue meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. with the exception of one change to June 26 to accommodate the Juneteenth holiday;

• Appointments were made to a series of boards and remained the same as last year, including Cowser and James Speece on the spring athletic board, Starkey and Cowser on the winter athletic board and Figel and Bove on the fall athletic board; Speece and Cowser on the labor relations committee; Starkey as legislative liaison; Bove with the Curriculum Improvement Council; Starkey and Figel on the insurance committee; and Cowser on the Indian Creek Foundation Board;

• The board approved an agreement with Kent State University to allow district students to participate in the College Credit Plus Program for the 2025-26 academic year;

• Leaders approved supplemental personal service contracts to Nick Dondzila and Sam Robinson as ICMS wrestling coaches and Kenneth Feist and Nick Spencer as ICHS assistant wrestling coaches while Shannon Starr, Ryan Starkey and Brayden Starkey were named wrestling volunteers.