HANOVERTON — Another Columbiana County school district decided to settle with a man who fancies himself a Sunshine Law warrior.

United Local school board voted Wednesday night to settle out of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court with Mogadore resident Brian Ames, a day after Columbiana Exempted School District did the same.

Like Columbiana, the district’s insurance company covered the $5,635 payment to Ames’ attorney, Barry Ward, and United Local School District just covers the deductible, according to treasurer Melissa Baker.

Cases against other Columbiana County school districts like Wellsville, Leetonia and East Liverpool are still pending in court.

Ames filed the lawsuit in November, seeking payment of $500 for each alleged violation.

He accused United Local of improper executive session, exceeding the published purpose of a special meeting and failure to keep accurate minutes.

Ames also has a case against the City of Columbiana, and his case against Crestview Local School District has been voluntarily dismissed.

Per the settlement language, United Local School District has 30 days to send the check and signed settlement agreement to Ames’ attorney, who will dismiss the case with prejudice within three days of receipt.

Board member Heather Mercer was absent from Wednesday’s proceedings.

In other action, board members:

— Accepted $50 in donations for the backpack and food pantry programs.

— Amended the Class of 2027 policy report, adding a Nothing But Bundt cake and voucher sale.

— Approved both agreements between the district and the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio.

— Approved band trip volunteers Jessica Billy, Amanda Casto, Scott Cusick, Kristen Dow, Nicole Hull, Toni Miller and Mark Weber.

— Renewed all winter coaching contracts.

— Approved the out-of-state trip to Orlando, Fla., for the high school band scheduled between March 16-21, 2026 and the FFA sustainable agriculture trip to Italy from June 23-July 1, 2025.

— Approved a one-year agreement with Apptegy for website design and mobile app development and alerts.

— Employment of the following students: Allison Neff, sound technician, and Casey Ceresna as an athletic worker.

— Hired certified substitute Kandace Cleland as a general education instructor.

— Approved Sarah Dustman a classified substitute employee for the cafeteria, custodian and secretary.

— Awarded Heather Conner a supplemental contract as a fall play and USO musical assistant director.

— Approved Robert Albridgt as an athletic volunteer.