NEW SUPERVISOR — Longtime Steubenville educator Heather Hoover has been named the new supervisor/principal at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School. -- Contributed

BLOOMINGDALE — Heather Hoover is embarking on a new career path after being selected as the new supervisor/principal at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.

Hoover, who has served at Steubenville City Schools for the past 17 years, will begin her new duties on Aug. 1. She received a two-year contract during the regular JVS Board of Education meeting on June 30 and planned to begin the transition as soon as possible. The Steubenville resident replaces Andy Long, who left after seven years to serve as principal at Buckeye Local Junior High School. Hoover was grateful for the opportunity and said she hoped to carry on the JVS’s motto to “Soar to Success.”

“I am truly honored to have been selected as the next principal of the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, and am eager to serve in this capacity. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a school that is shaping the future of our community by preparing students with the skills, confidence and certifications they need to succeed in today’s workforce,” she said. “I am excited to work alongside such a dedicated and talented team of educators and staff members who are clearly committed to student success.”

Hoover added that leaving Steubenville after 17 years was not an easy decision, but it was a chance to serve students in a different capacity.

“I’ve grown so much as a teacher, facilitator, and STEM leader. But over time, I realized that my true passion lies in helping students connect their learning to real-world skills and career opportunities. This new role felt like the perfect fit– a chance to lead a school that’s all about preparing students for life beyond high school, while also supporting a team of educators doing meaningful, hands-on work. It’s a new chapter, but one that builds on everything I’ve learned so far.”

She is eager to support the staff and students at JVS and said her first priority would be to honor and build on the strong foundation that was already in place.

“That means listening — to staff, students and partners — to understand what’s working well. From there, I’d look to enhance current programs through employer input, increase collaboration across pathways, and strengthen skills that support student success in any field,” Hoover added.

Her educational journey began at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in early education in 2006, followed by two master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction in 2015 and education administration in 2019. She is licensed for PreK-3 early childhood, grades 4-5 generalist, K-12 reading, K-12 gifted intervention specialist and as a principal. While at SCS, her roles included being a teacher, Success for All facilitator, Project Lead the Way Lead Launch educator, creative competitions coordinator with Destination Imagination and Odyssey of the Mind and a 4-H adviser.

On a personal note, she plans to wed longtime partner Joe Manfred on July 26 and has three grown children, Robert, Megan and Hannah, as well as six grandchildren. She credited Manfred as being a major supporter in her life and said she was ready to carry on her work at the JVS. Hoover also looked forward to working with incoming Superintendent Ted Gorman, another Steubenville colleague.

“One of the things I’m most excited about in this transition is the opportunity to continue working alongside someone I know and respect professionally. Gorman and I have worked together for several years now in two different roles. Through our time together at Steubenville City Schools and representing the residents of Steubenville as fellow council members, we have had the ability to build a strong, collaborative relationship grounded in shared values, built on open communication, and a deep commitment to our work.”

Hoover is Steubenville’s Third Ward councilwoman, while Gorman represents the city’s Fifth Ward.

She expressed her gratitude to the school board and looked to continue moving the JVS forward.

“Throughout my career, one of my greatest strengths has been building strong, meaningful relationships with the community as a way to support opportunities for my students,” Hoover commented. “In this new endeavor, I look forward to creating new relationships within the school and throughout the county that will promote the value of the work being done at the JVS and the career pathways that it has to offer.”

Among other matters, the board:

• Named Amy Rusnak as early childhood education program instructor on a one-year limited contract;

• Hired Sandra (Breanna) DeFelice as a full-time general substitute for the 2025-26 school year;

• Contracted with the Jefferson County Educational Service Center for attorney services;

• Approved the revised Fiscal Year 2025 permanent appropriations and adopted the FY ’26 temporary appropriations;

• Approved an agreement with Nutrition Inc., for the 2025-26 school year;

• Approved the adult education program coordinator agreement for Tuesday to June 30, 2026;

• Approved a field trip for Tammy Sismondo and Lisa McFarland to take 10 students to the Health Occupation Students of America Future Health Professionals Washington Leadership Academy in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 18-22;

• Discussed moving the director’s position from superintendent to principal, giving the latter responsibility to oversee day-to-day operations of facilities. Board President Steve Bezak III was planning to seek a legal opinion from the board’s attorney on the matter;

• Heard from Superintendent Todd Phillipson that the state budget has been a topic of discussion over the past few weeks and includes changes, but tech prep funding was $4 million less. However, it will be focusing more on career awareness;

• Learned that the recent summer camp program went well and had several dozen youths participating;

• Set the next regular meeting for 5 p.m. July 15 in the board conference room.