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BDD to end direct care services

LISBON — The final step was made this week to transition the Columbiana County Board of Developmental Disabilities (BDD) out of direct care services, a move required by the state.

The BDD has been working on the transition since 2015 and on Wednesday of this week a final date was set for May 25 for the EDI-central facility outside of Lisbon to be operated by a private company.

The 10 adult clients at EDI-central were notified of the change around this time last year, although at that time a final closing date was not yet determined.

Superintendent Bill Devon said during the regular board meeting on Wednesday that he and other staff met with county commissioners before their regular meeting earlier that day to discuss the matter.

He said he wanted the commission to be aware of the decision the board planned to make during the meeting to accept the transition of adult services and transfer out of direct care.

The decision was approved by the BDD by a 4-0 vote, with board members Jean Duck and Bill Montgomery not in attendance for excused reasons.

Devon said the 10 clients will now go to other providers in the county.

In other matters, the board also approved purchasing about 29 interior glass panels of Lexan from Tri-State Glass at a cost not to exceed $2,459.

Devon said the panels are bulletproof for added security and will be installed at every classroom inside the Robert Bycroft School.

He said the panels were recommended by the teachers union in response to school safety concerns across the country in light of recent events.

Other items approved were:

— The 2017 annual report.

— Setting the Robert Bycroft School graduation for 1:30 p.m. May 24, and graduating seven students.

— Level One waivers for four people, as approved by the Ethics Committee.

— Individual One waivers for three people, as approved by the Ethics Committee.

— Hiring Corey Yoakam as temporary teacher substitute for the remainder of the school year at a rate of $155.65 per day.

— Membership in the Disability Housing Network at an annual cost of $701 for 2018.

— An executive session to discuss compensation and preparation for negotiations. No action was taken.

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