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LISBON -- The Columbiana County Educational Services Center will have a changing of the guards at the beginning of the year.
Current Superintendent Ann Marie Vaughn submitted her retirement resignation letter at Tuesday's board of education meeting. The board "regrettably accepted it" and wished Vaughn a happy retirement before approving assistant Superintendent Marie Williams to replace Vaughn. Vaughn's resignation is effective Dec. 31 and Williams will officially replace her Jan. 1.
"It's good to know that the ESC will be in good hands," board member Jackie Mercer said of William's hiring. "As much as I don't want to see Ann Marie go, the ESC will continue to be in good hands."
In other personnel matters, the board accepted the retirement of technology consultant Joe Warchol and set a public hearing on his rehiring in accordance with revised code 3309.345. The board also accepted the resignations of Amnada Witherow, Devon Price and Christopher McKinnon. The board approved the hiring of certified personnel Antonina Holland (non-bachelor substitute teacher) and approved the employment of 15 classified employees.
The board also agreed to add vendors Marsha Lee Knight, Sweet Sally's Creations and Michelle Sharketti to the consignment store.
Upon recommendation of the treasurer, the board approved the September 2023 financial statements, bills totaling $1,337,760, and Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools (EANS) to East Liverpool Christian School.
In other news, the board discussed the observation of "Manufacturing Day" held in partnership with the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC) and Business Advisory Council (BAC). A "Manufacturing Your Future Event" was held to introduce county students to careers in the manufacturing industry on Oct. 9. Rep. Bill Johnson, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals, sponsored the all-day event. Buses transported sophomore students from districts across the county, to Salem's Butech-Bliss, Ventra, CTM Labeling Systems, Compco Industries, Hickey Metal Fabrication, MAC Manufacturing, and Quality Water Systems in Salem and Humtown Products in Leetonia. The students were able to tour each facility and were exposed to a variety of manufacturing options from metal fabrication and welding to label design and production.
"We had each group of students visit two sites and then they came back to the career and tech center and toured programs there," Vaughn said. "It really is an event that we really encourage 10th graders to consider because 10th grade is a good time if they have not landed on something by then, it gives them some exposure. It was a great event."
selverd@mojonews.com