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LISBON -- The Beaver Local school board has approved asking voters to renew a tax levy.
The board made the decision during this month's regular meeting, upon the prior recommendation of district Treasurer Stacey Williams.
The five-year levy renewal will appear on the November general election ballot and is expected to bring in $1.2 million in property tax revenue each year.
The levy on the ballot is the same levy that has been in place since 1994 and will not result in new taxes.
Williams told the board in May that a renewal was necessary to continue providing the current level of services available to students.
She has said that if the levy is not approved by voters district expenditures are projected to outpace revenue within the next few years.
"The board recognizes the continued need in the district for the renewal levy," District Superintendent Eric Lowe said.
Lowe also said during the meeting that he wanted to thank all staff, students and families for their hard work in ensuring the district had an overall great school year.
He also shared he appreciated the hard work of the maintenance staff in getting the grounds looking "top notch" for graduation at the stadium. He said that the senior advisors and guidance department do a great job with graduation activities and it was a special time for the Class of 2023.
He also wished to remind people that the Back to School Bash will be held on Aug. 16.
In other matters, the board approved the resignations of high school principal James Riccardo and Head Baseball Coach Mike Agnew.
Riccardo has served as high school principal since July of 2018, when he was promoted to the position to fill the vacancy left by Tom Cunningham. At that time Riccardo was serving as assistant high school principal. Lowe said that Riccardo resigned as a result of a move to be closer to family.
As for head baseball coach Mike Agnew, Lowe said he decided to step away from the position. Agnew has served as head baseball coach with the district for some time as well.
Other matters approved by the board include:
-- A contract with OME-RESA ITC to provide cooperative services for fiscal year 2024.
-- A contract with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center to provide services for the 2023-24 school year.
-- A contract with City Hospital Association to provide athletic training and/or licensed physical therapy services to the district for the 2023-24 school year.
-- The 2-hour delay schedule for the 2023-24 school year.
-- A Memorandum of Understanding between the district and the Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency.
-- The purchase of teaching materials for the high school math department courses.
-- The natural gas contract from Interstate Gas Supply LLC, brokered via the OME-RESA aggregation consortium, effective July 2023 through July 2027.
-- The hiring of Ryan Smith, high school math teacher; Melissa Hall, high school English teacher; and Jessica Munoz, first grade teacher.
-- Supplemental contracts for girls basketball: Tony Sorge, head coach; Kari Miller, varsity assistant coach; Brad Starkey, junior varsity coach; Ben Wright, eighth grade coach; Wynton Rayford, seventh grade coach, a half contract with Jamie Gaydos.
-- Supplemental contracts for boys basketball: Nick Miller, head coach; Cody Reese, varsity assistant coach; Dave Goodman, junior varsity coach; Ryan Smith, freshman coach; Jeremy McElroy, eighth grade coach; Mark Cashdollar, seventh grade coach.
-- Supplemental contracts for wresting: Johnny McComas, head coach; Chad Bowersock, high school assistant coach; TJ Miller, high school assistant coach; Doug Hoppel, high school assistant coach; Shane O'Brien, middle school coach; Nick Sesonsky, strength coach.
-- A supplemental contract for Jim Savina, bowling coach.
-- A supplemental contract for Maria Parfitt, swimming coach.
-- Supplemental contracts for cheerleading: Michelle Blair, head coach; Chandler Hoppel, assistant coach; Tammy Saphore, middle school coach.
-- A supplemental contract for Jess Darrah, cross country, and Chandler Fockler, color guard.
-- Supplemental contracts for Allison Clutter, assistant band director; Matt Newman, jazz band director; and Allison Clutter, pep band director.
-- The following as volunteers: John Miller, boys basketball; Misty Mays, girls basketball; Dustin Langley, cross country; Jordan Williams, wrestling; Sara Kauffman, marching band; Andrew McCarty, marching band.
-- Rescinding the supplemental contract for Austin Mayfield, freshman football coach.
Board of Education member Brian McKenzie also took some time during the meeting to congratulate all of the Beaver Local graduates, and also Shaylynn Dennis on earning 22nd in the National Spelling Bee, and Savannah Nign on her fourth place finish in the 100 meter seated race at the Ohio High School Athletic Association state meet.
McKenzie also thanked Riccardo for his work with the district and wished him well in his new endeavors.
Elementary Principal Brianne Hall shared that the district currently has 131 students enrolled for kindergarten next year.