United students honored for their Microsoft prowess

HANOVERTON -- Four United High School students discussed their statewide success in the Microsoft Industry Recognized Credential test at last week's United Local School District Board of Education meeting.

Ten students placed in the top ten in Ohio in different categories testing students' skills using Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, but not all could attend the Feb. 22 meeting.

The technology instructor, Krista Fitch, was awarded an "outstanding educator" certificate from Microsoft for "continually having students place in the top ten among all Ohioans who take the credentialing assessments."

"Truly what Krista has done with this program is commendable," United High School Principal William Young said. "I'm not joking when I say that we've had other schools come and ask her how she does it. She's going to tell you it's not her, it's the kids."

Young said Fitch facilitates the learning by allowing students to go at their own pace and become energized on their own to complete certain tasks. He said the "industry-recognized credentials" that the students are receiving by training in Microsoft Office 365 programs will "put them to the front of the line" when applying for jobs after graduation.

"United Local had nine of the top ten places in the Powerpoint assessment (in the state)," Young said.

Eleventh-graders Dalton Owsley and Olivia Hardgrove and tenth-graders Aurianna Cusick and Lauren Painter spoke to the board, describing their experiences.

"There's these little practice tests we do first. She guides us through it and then, like a baby bird, she lets you go," Owsley said. He finished fourth place in the state for Microsoft Powerpoint.

Board member Justin Medure noted that having these skills will put the students ahead of the game no matter what they decide to pursue after graduation.

"Regardless of your path later, whether it's the workforce or college, you're more than likely going to be using one or a few of those different programs," Medure said.

The United Gridiron Club is hosting a United Golden Eagles Youth Football Camp on May 18 with Jim Tressel, former head football coach for Youngstown State University and The Ohio State University.

The camp will be free for United students and $40 for anyone else who would like to attend.

Former United Board of Education members Mike Ellyson and Mike Phillis addressed the board on behalf of the recently formed United Gridiron Club.

Started by United alumni, mostly past football players, the Gridiron Club recently launched a website, www.unitedgridironcamps.com, and has a donation portal set up.

Phillis said the club has already received more than $20,000 in donations from members and he would like to see people set up monthly donation amounts to "fill the bucket" using the "drip-drip method."

"The objective of the Gridiron Club is to promote United football and get financial support to college-bound players," Phillis said.

Ellyson and Phillis clarified that the scholarships will be available to anyone who plays United football. The student doesn't necessarily have to play football in college to receive a scholarship.

In other business, the board approved an agreement with Area Cooperative Computerized Educational Service System (ACCESS), one of 18 information technology centers licensed by the Ohio Department of Education, for voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services for 51 phones at a total cost of $8,400.30. The board also approved a $24,007.75 agreement for internet access and application services with ACCESS. Both agreements cover next school year, 2024-2025.

The board approved the purchase of a 2025 Thomas school bus for $132,940 from Myers Equipment of Canfield, through the Ohio Mid-Eastern Regional Education Service Agency's (OM-ERESA) consortium bid process.

There were zero bullying incidents reported during the first semester of the current school year, according to the district's bullying incident report. The district classifies bullying events into level one, two, or three tiers. The third tier is considered harassment.

The board also approved the continued admission of inter-district transfer students through open enrollment. There are currently 190 students attending United Local under open enrollment this year and 84 attending other school districts.

The board accepted a total of $5,545 in donations from various sources and approved an Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference pay increase for spring officials-- $70 for varsity baseball; $66 for junior varsity baseball; $65 for softball; and $60 for junior varsity freshman softball.

The board also approved 2024-2025 supplemental contracts for: Tony Brunner, varsity volleyball head coach; Curtis Jones, varsity boys soccer head coach; Sarah Jones, varsity football cheerleading head coach; D.J. Ogilvie as varsity football head coach; and Stacey Zines as varsity girls golf head coach.

The United Local School District Board of Education will next meet at the United High School library at 6 p.m. March 13.