CHANGES — Buckeye Local Board of Education member Clint Powell handed the reins over to successor Steve Bezak III, who will fill Powell’s vacant seat this January. -- Contributed

DILLONVALE — Clint Powell bid farewell to the Buckeye Local Board of Education following his final meeting on Dec. 15, while newly elected official Steve Bezak III will take his place in January.

Powell, who has served on the board since 2019, opted not to seek re-election because he was traveling more for his work. He was very proud of the strides the district has made through the years and credited the board, administration, staff and students for making it a success.

“It’s night and day with the energy that’s being put into the district today with caring about and listening to people,” he said. “We’ve created programs such as FFA and funding from gas and oil has been well spent on overdue improvements to the facilities.”

He was appointed to a post vacated by former board member Isaac Omaits and completed the two-year term, after which he ran for election in 2021. Since his new employment position is based in Columbus, he was unable to fulfill his duties but said he was leaving Buckeye Local in very capable hands.

“It was a great experience. I’ve learned a lot over the last six years with how the school district is run and how hard funding is to come by for school districts. I appreciate Ohio Association of Public Service Employees, Buckeye Local Classroom Teachers Association and the administration and staff for everything they do,” Powell added, also praising Superintendent Coy Sudvary and his fellow board members, as well as his successor. “Steve has experience with the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School and I think he will do a good job.”

Bezak, who is completing his second term as president of the JVS Board of Education, has been an active member for more than a decade. He has served as the Buckeye Local School District representative and was vice president, making him no stranger to education. Bezak added that Powell approached him about seeking the open spot and he placed his name on the ballot this fall, and now he is eager to be part of his home school community.

“I was first appointed to a three-year term and am currently on my fourth term at the JVS,” he explained. “I feel like the (Buckeye Local school) board’s really sound and wanted to add my experience to it.”

School board officials bid Powell goodbye and member Ashley West thanked Powell for his leadership, while Sudvary echoed those sentiments.

“It was good to serve,” Powell responded. “We’re in a good place and I appreciate everything you guys do. You truly care in your hearts about the kids.”

In other matters:

• District Program Manager Susan Bachmann said the extended learning centers were in the third of a five-year grant program. It includes activities before and after school at Buckeye North, South and West Elementary schools and a summer program with field trips to Wheeling University, the Challenger Center and Carnegie Science Center while COSI visited the schools. About 30 people were working while two students, Dallas Farmer and Hudson Matthews, volunteered at South to earn extra seals for graduation and hours for the National Honors Society. Community partners including the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County and Jack Wilkinson of SportsHub also provided activities for kids. Bachmann added that 40 computers were acquired for South, totaling 140 total items purchased for all three elementary buildings;

• District Maintenance Supervisor Tony Panepucci updated the board on projects throughout the district, including a new entrance door and intercom system set for North, a wrap-up of work on the FFA greenhouse at Buckeye Local Junior-Senior High School and the purchase of a new scissor lift with an Ohio Board of Workers’ Compensation grant;

• The board approved a contract for treasurer’s assistant Brianne Nidle for six months and new substitute cook/custodian Rene Fields;

• Leaders commended North Elementary for receiving the Gold PBIS Award and BLHS music educator Stacey Soos for being named to participate in the 2026 Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day;

• Officials selected current board Vice President Melissa Supanik to serve as president pro tempore during the organizational meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 12 at the administrative offices at Dillonvale, with the regular session to follow at 5:15 p.m.