LISBON — Federally-funded afterschool programs at two school districts in Columbiana County will continue uninterrupted since the funding is available.

During the most recent Columbiana County Educational Service Center Board of Directors meeting ESC Superintendent Marie Williams expressed concern that some 21st Century afterschool programs would be affected by changes in federal funding.

These were the 21st Century afterschool programs at Leetonia and East Liverpool.

According to meeting minutes posted online, Williams said that Leetonia is currently in year three of its five-year grant and East Liverpool is in the first year.

A few months ago there was talk of the funding no longer being available due to proposed cuts in the nation’s budget.

However, Williams was hopeful the funding would be made available.

On July 21, which was shortly after the ESC board meeting, the funding was released by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the $1.3 billion awarded to 21st Century Community Learning Centers.

Williams said both Leetonia and East Liverpool afterschool programs will move forward as anticipated.

In other business during the meeting, the board also passed a resolution to establish the Sunshine Club Fund.

The fund serves as the staff’s “Goodwill Program” which sends flowers, cards, memorials to staff, students and their immediate families during significant times in theirs lives, according to the resolution.

Staff appointed by the superintendent are responsible for placing Sunshine orders that are approved by the treasurer and the superintendent.

The ESC previously had a Sunshine Club Fund at Premier Bank, but according to the resolution, opted to close that fund and deposit the remaining $2,255.38 into the CCESC checking account in order to maintain more accurate records, include the funds in the monthly bank reconciliation, and ensure that the Sunshine Club follows the CCESC’s purchasing policies.

ESC Treasurer Lucas Cooper said in his report to the board that moving the fund “onto the official books will allow us to better track and manage these funds.”

The board also approved the resignations of several people and the hiring of several people as paraeducators.

Williams said there has been a lot of staff turnover during the summer due to many school districts hiring staff directly.

“We are working to fill our open positions,” she said, according to the meeting minutes.

Williams also said they are looking forward to another school year with staff opening day scheduled for Aug. 15.

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