×

Columbiana schools look to partner with Leetonia in engineering program

COLUMBIANA — The city school district is looking into a partnership with the Leetonia School District’s engineering manufacturing program.

Superintendent Don Mook said during the board of education meeting this week that the two districts have been discussing a potential partnership that would consist of sharing some teachers.

Earlier this year Leetonia began looking into an expansion of the engineering and manufacturing academy that was piloted at the high school in 2016.

Students can earn a certificate as a production technician through the program that was funded through a Columbiana County Educational Service Center grant from the Local Government Incentive Fund.

In August of this year Leetonia Superintendent Rob Mehno said he hoped the program would generate interest in manufacturing curriculum and provide graduates with a head start in manufacturing careers.

“If we can embed these credentials in [participating districts’] programs, the students will have them when they go to college,” he said at that time.

Mook said this week that the Columbiana and Leetonia school treasurers will need to discuss how a future partnership would be funded.

“There are some grant opportunities we are going to explore. One of those is through the Port Authority. We are working with the Leetonia School District on a collective grant to get that going,” he said.

In other business, the board approved:

— Setting the compensation of board members for 2018 at a maximum of 12 meetings a year at a rate of $125 per meeting.

— The resignation of Jeff Jackson as boys golf coach, effective Dec. 7, 2017. Jackson is resigning due to his responsibilities as middle school and high school assistant principal, a position he was promoted to in April of this year.

— The resignation of Malissa Stimson, middle school teacher, effective Jan. 1, 2018. Stimson is pursuing another career field, Treasurer Kathy Davies said.

— The resignation of Nancy Tirpak as high school guidance secretary, effective Dec. 31, 2017. Tirpak is resigning as secretary due to becoming the district’s new EMIS coordinator, Davies said.

— Shawn Laughlin as custodian and substitute support staff.

— Eight people as band/choir volunteers and one person as elementary classroom volunteer.

— Supplemental contracts for Jordan Graham and Ryan Wolf as Virtual Learning Academy instructors.

— A change in contract from probationary to regular for Melissa Hopfenziz, effective Jan. 2, 2018.

— Deeming transportation by school conveyance impractical for five students and paying their parents in lieu of transportation services for the 2017-18 school year.

— The student fee schedule.

— Setting a budget hearing for the proposed tax budget for 6 p.m. Jan. 9, with the regular organizational and board meeting to follow.

kwhite@mojonews.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today