LISBON — School districts are turning to the Columbiana County Educational Service Center for help with meeting state standards in the future.

According to minutes of the Sept. 17 county ESC Board meeting posted online, ESC Superintendent Marie Williams told the board the ESC has fielded calls from area districts for additional support based on the recent annual Ohio Department of Education reports.

School districts across the state were awarded 1-5 stars for the 2023-24 school year based on specific state metrics, including graduation rates.

According to information released by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce in recent weeks, roughly 90 percent of Ohio public school districts earned good ratings.

In Columbiana County, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Lisbon and Wellsville received below 3-star ratings from the ODE.

Williams praised the Leetonia School District for earning the best rating out of all of the schools.

Leetonia earned an overall 4.5 stars for the district and 4-stars for each of the five components measured.

Dennis Dunham, director of teaching and learning for the ESC, said in his report to the board that he had the opportunity to meet with every school principal in the county except for one in order to understand the needs of the area and find ways to build trust so that the ESC can be of help.

He added that he would like to see county students participate in the ESC meetings.

“It’s a great way to stay focused on what is really important when students join us at our meetings,” he said.

County ESC Preschool Supervisor Melissa Puhalla reported that the preschool is piloting a full-day program, and that she is concerned that the increased paperwork required may deter people from participating in the program.

However, she added that the new curriculum is working well and teachers seem to be enjoying it.

The program is being funded by an Early Childhood Education grant.

Also according to the meeting minutes, ESC Treasurer Lucas Cooper reported that the ESC is in good fiscal health and that the general fund is down compared to prior months due to a pause in billing for the summer. He also said he believes the ESC is on track to continue building a healthy general fund balance for fiscal year 2025.

Matters approved by the board during the meeting were:

— Jodi Kelly to provide home instruction for Salem Schools for the 2024-25 school year, not to exceed 360 hours.

— A field work agreement between the ESC And School of Education at Franklin University for the 2024-25 school year.

— The resignations of Alyssa Ivan (effective July 31, 2024); Trudy Kirkbride (effective Aug. 16, 2024); Virginia Dailey (effective Aug. 26, 2024); and Rafael Felipe (effective Sept. 6, 2024).

— The retirement resignation of Diane Hart, effective Aug. 31, 2024.

— Hiring the following as paraeducators for the 2024-25 schools year: Christopher McKinnon; Ashley Huston; Kimberly Fowler; Brooke Welch; John McFarland; Nathan Brewer; Brian Royea; Samantha Starkey; Sarah McCoy; Kylie Coleman; Lindsey Harroff; and Shamyah Hunt.

— Ryan O’Donnell as site coordinator for the 21st Century after school program at Leetonia schools.

— Tara Smith as nurse aide for the United School District for the 2024-25 school year.

— Sarah Yocum, Maryann Cook, Laura Smith, Kelly George, Mary Cline, Nancy Harris, Natalie Harrison, Sarah Devon Kathy Zoellers, and Lee Potts as approved personnel for the 21st Century after school program at East Liverpool schools.

— William Altenhof, Marsha Coffee, Laurie Crisan, Angela Dunn, Gretchen Hull, Brad Katzman, and Randy Rodin as approved personnel for the 21st Century after school program for Leetonia schools.

— Erin Willgohs as intervention specialist at St. Paul School for the 2024-25 school year.

— Jennifer Galanis as site coordinator for the 21st Century after school program at East Liverpool schools.

— Jocelyn Parrish as substitute teacher for the 2024-25 school year.

The next meeting was set for 5 p.m. Oct. 15