HANOVERTON — An United Local district resident expressed concerns about the new school’s building temperatures especially for the elementary school children. 

During Wednesday night’s meeting, Brian McKarns, who has run the clocks for extracurricular events for 28 years, said that students are often unaware of how the chill in the air may impact their learning as well as the instructors’ ability to teach in the cold. 

He said that due to problems with the district’s HVAC system, some parents are dressing their children in layers due to their concerns about temperatures. He also noted the visiting athletic teams have noticed the cold conditions. 

McKarns suggested the district hire a full-time HVAC technician or ensure a strong maintenance is in place, also expressing concerns about potential energy loss if air is continuously running. 

Would use outdoor air to cool the building instead of operating an air conditional compressor, may be more in order or the installation of ceiling fans in the gymnasium to help circulate warm air downward. 

District superintendent Lance Hostetler thanked McKarns for his feedback and relayed that he gets daily temperature reports. The building has not fallen below 65 degrees. 

Hostetler also shared that the conditioner doesn’t continue run by is recirculating outside air into the building as initially designed. A HVAC maintenance agreement already is in place, he added. 

Mike Phillis also spoke on behalf of the United Local Gridiron Club, sharing advertising opportunities at the football stadium as well as grant opportunities related to a potential turf project. 

Many of those proposed fundraisers would require board approval, so Phillis said that he will need if the decision is made. to pursue those. 

The United Local High School’s Student Initiative Club also was back to provide a recap on the club’s activities, which center around strengthening student relationship. 

According to Olivia Ashburn, SIC president, the club currently has 30 members and is continuing to grow.

The club recently received a $2,000 Bonnie Hoppel grant, which they are planning to use for a student store. 

Ashburn also said that they have been invited to attend and present at the Power Summit in Los Angeles in March and are currently partnering with BBQ on 172 for a fundraiser to support the effort. 

The school board also met for just more than 90 minutes in executive session to discuss preparation for labor negotiations with no action taken. 

The next scheduled board meeting will be at 7 a.m. March 5 in the media center. 

Board members also approved: 

— Donations totaling $2625, including $1,200 from Daryl and Wendy Doyle to cover the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sports fee and $1000 from WesBanco for the high school band.

— The district’s five-year forecast, which estimates a deduction of $1,137,012 due to Ohio House Bill 186.

— Fundraiser requests by the softball team, which includes a hit-a-thon, outfield banners, as well as spirit swag; the cheerleading squad, Nothing Bundt Cakes; the track and field team, more spirit swag; Vitality Wellness, which is collecting donations for the American Heart Foundation; and the Class of 2027, which is raising money for winter homecoming. 

— The continuation of open enrollment. (United Local currently has accepted 182 students, while lost 70 to other school districts.)

— Volunteers Seth Arter for Watch D.O.G.S. and Curt Connor for an upcoming middle and high school field trip as well as in the classroom. 

— Adopted a cybersecurity program and the 2026-27 United Local school calendar.

— A resolution with Hammond Construction to proceed with the Pre-K revisions, roof and a three-story HVAC system. 

— Continued membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for 2026-27.

— A field trip to Chicago for high school Academic Challenge students on April 24-28 to participate in a tournament as transported by their parents. 

— An one-year contract for Tabatha Colin to serve as attendance/guidance/athletic secretary effective Jan. 12. 

— The following substitutes: nurse Brittany Mercer; secretary Taylor Mattevi; teachers Keaton Baker, Jennifer DeRuyter and Brian Lippiatt Jr. 

— Supplemental contracts for assistant middle school track coach Samantha Cope; assistant boys baseball coaches Jon Newburn and Anthony Danko; assistant girls softball coaches Matt and Stacey Zines as well as head middle school track coaches Nicholas Rhodes, Nicholas Hardgrove and Megan Karmazin. 

— Hiring Jason Pierson as an athletic worker.