LISBON — A half-day preschool program is being added at Crestview Local schools by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC).

ESC Superintendent Marie Williams said during the May ESC board meeting that the ESC is adding a half-day preschool program at Crestview and also opening a few new units at Wellsville to provide better access to the southern part of the county.

The ESC offers preschool programs at Crestview, Beaver Local, United, Leetonia, and Salem school districts.

According to the ESC website, enrollment is open to Columbiana County residents ages 3-5 years old. Registration for the 2025-26 school year opened in February and is ongoing.

As for higher grades, Williams said she was pleased to attend the Opportunity School graduation ceremony and witness those students’ success.

“It was wonderful to see how excited the families were to watch their students earn a high school diploma — especially given all they’ve overcome,” she said in her report to the board.

Board member Dr. Jackie Mercer also said the Opportunity Center graduation ceremony was a meaningful event.

“It’s wonderful to see them reach this milestone,” Mercer said.

In other business during the meeting, the board wished to recognized Board member Richard Stoudt for his 20 years of dedicated service.

Stoudt was also recently honored with an award from the Ohio School Boards Association.

Prior to joining the ESC board, Stoudt served 12 years with United Local School District, and also served concurrently on the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center Board.

The board also accepted the resignation of John Dilling, who joined the ESC after retiring from the Crestview Local School District as Superintendent.

“We greatly appreciate everything John Dilling has done for the ESC and the students of Columbiana County,” Williams said. “His dedication, hard work, and commitment to our students have made a lasting impact. John will be missed by all of us, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

The board also approved the resignations of Mary Hicks, Sarah McCurdy, Sara Crable, and Staci May, as well as the retirement and rehiring of both Kimberly Mayer and Kathryn Kromer.

Additional retirements were also approved for Deborah Thomas and Amy Woodford.

A majority of personnel matters were also approved, including contract renewals for several people for the 2025 OOD Summer Work Program, as well as renewals for several other people.

The board also approved a change in start times for the June and July regular ESC Board meetings from 5 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.