Bezak gains OSBA Aptitude Award

BLOOMINGDALE – Jefferson County Joint Vocational School Board President Steve Bezak III has added a prize to his mantel as a recipient of the 2026 Ohio School Board Association Aptitude Award.

Bezak, who currently serves as JVS board president and is a member of the Buckeye Local Board of Education, gained the distinction as part of the OSBA STAR Awards Program to recognize Service, Training, Aptitude, and Recognition (STAR) and celebrate school board members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to professional growth and effective educational leadership. Members were asked to complete an online aptitude test regarding their role on school boards and had to obtain above 80 percent to pass. He was among 70 people who will be recognized during a dinner at the Northeast Region Fall Conference in Warren on Sept. 30.

"It's nice to receive the award and it's because of the support of the Buckeye Local school board for appointing me to the JCJVS board year after year–where I have served as president–and for welcoming me to their board this past year," Bezak said. "That set me up for the Northeast Region Executive Committee. Honestly, it's more a reflection of the great school boards in our area than just one person."

Bezak, of Adena, has served as a Buckeye Local district representative to the JVS board for the past 13 years and was elected to the Buckeye Local seat in 2026. He is currently in his third term as JVS board president and previously served as vice president, plus he has been active on the OSBA Northeast Region Executive Committee for one year. He was approached to join by OSBA Northeast Region Manager Reno Contipelli and meets with the committee several times a year in either online or in-person sessions.