MINGO JUNCTION — Indian Creek school board officials listened to a presentation on how to bolster its community presence through its new public relations specialist.

Amy Colantoni introduced herself to the board during the Sept. 18 session at Indian Creek Middle School, although she is no stranger to the district. A past student, Colantoni shared her resume with leaders and said she was in the classroom but found her calling in public relations, and she was grateful to serve the district.

“I started on Sept. 15 and am very thankful,” she said, adding, “No successful coach goes into a game or practice without a plan. This week, I had time to do a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis with the administrative team and staff.”

She provided visual aids on strategic planning which included digital marketing by building an online presence; making connections through social media and community interaction; and a review of current platforms and efforts to effectively communicate with stakeholders. Colantoni explained that she would meet with staff and gain more insight about ways to move forward.

Board Vice President Steve Cowser, who led the meeting in place of absent president Dr. John Figel, welcomed Colantoni on board.

“We go back a ways and I’m happy to see you here,” Cowser added. “I think you’ll do great things.”

Meanwhile, Assistant Superintendent John Belt reported that work was continuing on the Jefferson County Innovation Center in Mingo Junction and he attended the first on-site progress meeting at the construction site. He said a majority of the trenches were completed and concrete footers would be placed to prepare for the structure.

“We plan to start laying block on Tuesday and anticipate that the structural steel should be onsite Nov. 1,” Belt added.

The $6.5 million project, which was funded through an Appalachian Community Innovation Centers Grant, will feature a 14,000-square-foot, one-story building near Hills Elementary. Partnerships were formed with WVU Medicine, Jefferson County Educational Service Center and Jefferson County Community Action Council to provide express care services, an alternative school and a job assistance program, as well as a day treatment facility for students in grades K-8. North Canton-based Sol-Harris/Day Architecture serves as the design professional with Hammond Construction of Akron as construction manager. Ground was officially broken in June and officials plan to have the structure under roof in December, while the facilities should be ready in August.

The board also heard from Treasurer Adam Lewis, who sought for officials to adopt permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2026.

“The appropriations are similar to last year and I adjusted them for expenditures,” Lewis added. “Because of the new House bill, my five-year forecast has become a current year and three-year forecast.”

He asked leaders to hold a special meeting on Oct. 14 at 7 a.m. at the board office in Wintersville to consider and approve the forecast of appropriations, revenue and fund balance for the forecast. Officials approved the move as well as the permanent appropriations for FY’26.

Among other matters:

• District Food Service Director Nicole Marshall said there was a manufacturing issue with the new salad bar for Hills Elementary and delivery was on hold. She added that members of the Indian Creek High School homecoming court and football team helped serve kids at Cross Creek Elementary in the lead up to homecoming festivities, and she was excited to work on ideas with Colantoni;

• Leaders approved agreements with JCESC for OTES evaluators for one year and named representatives Ron Sismondo, Nicole McDonald and Amber Fomenko as external evaluators. Another pact was approved with JCESC to provide special education services for FY 25-26;

• Officials approved an agreement with the Jefferson County Juvenile Court for a school liaison for the present school year;

• The board hired Jaimie Goff as a paraprofessional at CCE on a one-year probationary contract; gave one-year limited contracts to Melinda Aleksiejczyk as paraprofessional, Jeffery Stewart and Jessica Rees as cooks/cashiers and Katie Stewart as family medical specialist; approved Ryan Starkey, Brayden Starkey, Shannon Starr, Nick Dondzila and Nick Spencer as volunteers and extra-duty supplemental contracts to Amber Scott as varsity softball head coach and Megan Maykowski, Tia Taglione, and Dawn Driscoll as varsity softball assistants, all for the current school year;

• Leaders affirmed the contract for nursing students from the Franciscan University of Steubenville for the school year;

• Board member Dan Bove highlighted school sports, including the football team and boys’ middle school soccer team, the latter of which gained it first win. He noted the girls’ soccer and volleyball seasons were also underway;

• The board approved a trip to Costa Rica and Panama through EF Tours in June 2027.