Local News

Wellsville school board approves use of Naloxone for overdoses on school property

WELLSVILLE -- The Wellsville Board of Education approved the administration of Naloxone by trained school personnel in accordance with state laws and regulations in response to suspected opioid overdose on school property or at school-leased facilities during Monday's meeting.

The board directed School Superintendent Richard Bereschik to develop and implement appropriate policies and procedures and training programs related to the administration of Naloxone. This is to be done in collaboration with local health authorities, emergency service and legal counsel.

Bereschik said it was too risky in his opinion to not have that and that he believes Wellsville is one of the last schools in the area to not have this.

During the new business portion of the meeting, the board members unanimously approved to accept a monetary donation for The Orange and Black Boosters WHS Football of $161.47.

The district will administer the third-grade English Language and Mathematics assessments in paper format to all third-grade students except for students with an individualized education program or plan development that says taking the assessment in an online format is an appropriate accommodation for the student. Board members approved the testing format.

A resolution was adopted authorizing the superintendent to hire staff and accept resignations between meetings. Bereschik said he appreciates the option to hire between meetings, but he would not do it without discussing potential hirings with board members.

During the finance portion of the meeting, the board approved the financial report including transfers and modifications of funds presented by Treasurer Maia Amato.

Also approved were Then and Now Certificates and the tax budget.

Several memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were also approved.

Approved were MOUs between the Wellsville school board and the Wellsville Teachers Assocation (WTA) where members of the WTA will continue to contribute 5% of the total cost, not to exceed $150 per month, of the $250 deductible plan with RX plan C V, and for the Ohio Association of Public-School Employees (OAPSE), in which members will contribute $36 for a single plan and $90 for a family plan. This change is a result of aligning the employee contributions with the $250 deductible plan with RX plan D.

An MOU between Wellsville Board of Education and Eastern Gateway Community College and Kent State University for the 2024-2025 College Credit Plus was also approved.

A motion to award the Edwin V. Pugh Scholarship of $300 to Connor Hooper was approved.

An addendum to the American Benefits administrative services agreement for NACHA 2023 rules was also approved.

During the personnel portion of the meeting Jason Dowling was approved as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach and Michael Bess was approved as a weightlifting coach.

A resignation for Camryn Jackson, paraprofessional, effective Jan. 5 was approved.

PJ Wright, maintenance, reported to the board that the district received a $19,000 Bureau of Workers Compensation grant for a new floor scrubber, the lights at the stadium should be done within a couple of weeks and the warranty work on the turf at the stadium is done.

Bereschik noted that there are now cameras on the buses and if any incidents happen on the bus the driver just has to hit record to capture the incident.

Just before the regular board meeting on Monday, the board held its annual organizational meeting and tax budget hearing.

New board members Jarrod Grimm and Dale Palmer were sworn in.

Gary Althiser was elected president of the board. Frank Williams was elected vice president. Both were sworn in and assumed their positions.

Board members opted to keep the board meeting date and time as the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

The board approved a motion to delegate Amato to attend a public records training.

Althiser was appointed as the representative to the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center board.

During the Tax Budget hearing portion of the meeting, the board approved Amato to request advances against all tax settlements, pay all bills within the limit of the appropriations and to provide monthly reports to the board of bills paid, invest interim funds in the best interest of the school district and deposit interest earnings in the General Fund or other funds, authorize the use of facsimile signature on Board of Education checks, and make appropriation modifications as required for the operation of the district.

A motion to approve a board service fund for board members expenses of $5,000 was approved.

The board also decided that one member should be elected as the legislative liaison to the Ohio School Boards Association to interpret and report state legislative activity. Williams was appointed to the position.

Travel reimbursements rates were approved with milage at 67 cents a mile. Meals while traveling will be reimbursed at a maximum of $60 per day and lodging at a maximum of $250 per day.

Board committee assignments will be made by the board president at a later date.

The next regular meeting of the Wellsville Board of Education is scheduled for Feb.12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wellsville Jr. Sr. High Media Center.