LISBON — Winnie the cocker spaniel was welcomed with open arms into the Beaver Local School District last year, and the therapy dog had been a success.

“Students are always interacting with the dog. I have many staff members comment on this being a positive initiative this year. Winnie has been a great addition to the Beaver Local School Community,” District Superintendent Eric Lowe said.

Lowe provided an update on the service during the May board of education meeting.

Winnie is a certified therapy dog and is handled by Molly Young.

In an interview conducted by student Ethan Wood with Young last year as part of the district’s media, Young said she wanted to introduce Winnie to the school after seeing how well the dog was received by an elementary student who was previously battling leukemia at the time.

Young felt that having Winnie at the school would help the student transition back into classes after completing treatment.

Winnie officially came to the district in September of last year and is on a leash which is handled by Young the entire time they are at school.

Also during the meeting, Board President Greg Eisenhart said he has enjoyed watching the successes of the track team this spring and noted that all spring sports have been working hard.

He also congratulated the Summi Decem and National Honor Society honorees on their academic achievements and the hard work and time which they have given to get these honors.

He thanked everyone for their efforts in the district and the hard work in making it a great school year.

The board then approved:

The non-renewal of all substitutes approved on an “as needed basis” or extended time for the 2024-25 school year as of June 30, 2025, and to advise substitutes interested in being considered for the 2025-26 school year to place such in writing to the Superintendent prior to the start of the new school year.

The Memorandum of Understanding with Columbiana County Mental Health Clinic (The Counseling Center) for the 2025-26 school year.

The following supplemental contracts

for the 2025-26 school year:

Volleyball

Megan Butler – High School Assistant Coach

Carmen Pugliano – Freshman Coach

Heavyn Wolski – 8th Grade Coach

Lynsey Lyle-Opalinik – 7th Grade Coach

Football

Shane O’Brien – High School Assistant Coach

Jeremy McElroy – High School Assistant Coach

Mike Klein – High School Assistant Coach

Noah Bowyer – High School Assistant Coach

Tanner Johnston – High School Assistant Coach

Mike Curran – Freshman Coach

Josh Weese – Freshman Coach

Terry Bowyer – Middle School Coach

Aaron Schwerha – Middle School Coach

Mike Woodburn – Middle School Coach

Chris Kraft – Middle School Coach

Girls Soccer

Liz Connor – Head Coach

Hannah Cochran – Assistant Coach

Alyssa Culp – Assistant Coach

Boys Soccer

Jospeh Zirillo – Head Coach

Shawn Dunn – Assistant Coach

Devin Miller – Assistant Coach

Strength Coach (Summer & Fall)

Nick Sesonsky

Boys Golf

Ryan Smith – Head Coach

Girls Golf

Erin Anderson – Head Coach

Cheerleading

Michele Blair – Head Coach

Chandler Hoppel-Carr – Assistant Coach

Tammy Saphore – Middle School Coach

Cierra’s Thurik, Emmi Felton, Drew Garon and Steve Hall as volleyball volunteers for the 2025-26 school year; Mike Bowyer as middle school football volunteer; and Kelly Jones and Al Pierson as girls golf volunteers.

Grace Hill as technology summer help.

A supplemental contract for Alison Hupp as high school volleyball assistant coach.