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LISBON -- The Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC) Board of Education met Tuesday with preparations of the upcoming school year dominating the discussion. In preparation, the ESC held two opening-day events dedicated to professional development to help staff gear up for 2023-24.
On Tuesday, all ESC teachers and assistants and ESC staff took part in the first event, taking part in group and department meetings and then coming together for lunch in a presentation. The focus of the day was better preparing all students for life after high school.
The second event was set for Wednesday and is specialized for paraeducators.
"The paraeducators will talk as a group about behaviors, dealing with behaviors, intervening with behaviors," CCESC assistant superintendent Marie Williams said. "We are going to split up into different learning sessions. We have consultants. We have the OTP department. We have the family liaison. Basically, the paraeducators can choose between five different sessions five different times. We are hitting a whole of things and it should be a good day."
The ESC currently employs approximately 120 paraeducators, who work with teachers to facilitate small groups, support students with special needs, and help children meet learning and behavioral goals and are an instrumental part in education in both traditional classrooms and innovative learning settings. Eight new paraeducators (Joanne Ferry, Isaac Newton, Rebecca Rudibaugh, Glenda Ward, Darlene McAllister, Kyla Miller, Ashley Erb-Green and Stacey Moore) were approved for hire during Tuesday's meeting with six more positions open. Paraeducators are an instrumental part in education in both traditional classrooms and innovative learning settings.
In other personnel matters, the board approved the the employment of four Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) workers, Melissa Ollis (activity leader for the Lacroft's summer program) Gibran Colbert (classroom assistant for Lacroft's summer program), Vedetta Duncan (intervention specialist), Denise McIntosh (tutor), Donna Stewart (substitute teacher), Adriana Ahart (substitute teacher), Jamie Kukunis (gifted teacher), Stacey Bryant (preschool teacher), Samantha Catalano (preschool teacher). The board also approved workers Jadon Warner, Cynthnia Keene, Nathan Stewart and Malyka Seabolt and accepted six resignations.
The board also took action on several business matters, passing approval on payment of bills totaling $1,111,293, while accepting and approving July's financial statements and approving (effective Aug. 1) the ESC to pick up the total amount of employee contributions to the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, an increase of employee travel allowance to the current federal rate of 65.5 per mile and two donations for Kids STEAM University (a program that fosters ideas around STEM) -- $1,000 from HP Humtown and $250 from Butech Bliss.
selverd@mojonews.com