Roger Tullis presents a digital LED electronic down marker for the varsity football team on behalf of him and his family (Photo by Stephanie Elverd)

LISBON — Lisbon Superintendent Joe Siefke knows it takes a village to raise a child and paused to thank those in the Village of Lisbon who continuously give to the district and the students during Thursday’s board of education meeting.

Siefke expressed appreciation to both the Lisbon VFW and Lisbon Eagles for recent contributions to the athletic department.

The Eagles donated $1,000 for charter buses while the VFW gifted $3,500 to the athletic general fund.

“On behalf of the board of education, we thank both those organizations,” Siefke said. “Their donations and the continued support of our kids is greatly appreciated. They are very generous and we are very happy.”

Athletic director Kyle Bing and David Anderson principal Keith Edenfield echoed those sentiments.

“We can’t thank the Eagles and VFW enough for their continued support,” Edenfield said.

McKinley Elementary Principal Daniel Kemats stayed on the gratitude trend during his report to the board by thanking the community for numerous donations the elementary school received recently.

Those donations included school supplies and tissues from the New Lisbon Presbyterian Church, tissues from the Methodist church, tissues and clorox wipes from the Lisbon Lions, school supplies from the Dollar General, backpacks filled with school supplies from the boy scouts and backpacks from Kandace Cleland.

“Every year, it seems like people, when we get back to school, want to help us out in one way shape or form,” Kemats said. “All these people, organizations and places are just looking to help. We are appreciative of all these organizations and we send thanks back to them for thinking of us.”

The board also received a donation in person on Thursday that will light up the sidelines on Friday nights. Maintenance Supervisor Roger Tullis presented the board with a digital LED electronic down marker for the varsity football team.

“On behalf of my wife Missy and my sons Zane and Colt, we would like to donate this to the schools, specifically to the football program,” Tullis said. “Going to a lot of football games over these past three and half years, working on four, I’ve noticed them at different places and they really stand out. I thought they looked sharp and we decided this is Colt’s last year and we wanted to do something for the team and the school.”

“Mr. Tullis came to me and told me what his family wanted to do, Siefke said. “It was such a nice thing to do, and it’s going to look great on Friday nights.”

Also at Thursday’s meeting, the board:

— Approved three instructors (Becky McCullough, Kami Shingleton and Angela Sims) for the McKinley After School program. Kemats reported that the students have again shown high interest in the program which is held two hours after school on Monday and Wednesday from Oct. 1 to April 29 for students in grades 2-5. Kemats said last year, 41 students signed up and averaged 21 to 26 students.

– Approved the Touchdown Club, Roundball Club, Diamond Club and Band Boosters to be covered by the district insurance program.

— Approved 18 academic stipends, 11 high school advisors, four online instructors, three athletic volunteers and Janet Lane as assistant cross country coach for the 2025-26 school year.

— Authorized adjusted salary degree advancement for Natalie Vantilburg (Masters +15).

— Approved Travco Behavioral Health, Inc. to provide counseling and wellness services to the students at David Anderson Jr./Sr. High School for the 2025-26 school year at a rate of $140.45 per day, not to exceed $25,000.00 total for the school year.

– Approved an agreement with The Red Zone a School Based Behavioral Health Help to the students at McKinley Elementary School for the 2025-26 school year at no cost to the District.

— Accepted the retirement of Kella Haren as school nurse.

— Approved a one-year contract for cafeteria meal service to the Opportunity School and the Board of Developmental Disabilities.

— Approved $750 contracts for athletic training services for the 2025 fall sports season Justin Miller (football) and Stephanie Myers (volleyball, golf and cross county).

— Appointed Jennifer Whitman as a delegate and TK Hiscox as an alternate to attend the Ohio School Board’s Capital Conference.

— Approved an agreement with the Family and Children First Council of Columbiana County to provide services to youth and their families in the District at an annual cost of $575.

— Approve an Electric Audit Project agreement with the Ohio Schools Council and Yankel & Associates, Inc. to pursue ways to lower electric costs.

— Approved the financial report as written, bills in the amount of $912,231, continuation of a Five-Year Financial Forecast and permanent appropriations for fiscal year 2026.