EAST LIVERPOOL — Board Member Tamar Cooper, who chairs the Curriculum and Technology Committee, told the East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education during Thursday’s meeting that the funds for a large grant the district was recently awarded are currently on hold.

Cooper was referring to the $1.54 million Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant the district announced being awarded in June.

While no reason for the hold was provided, Cooper said the district is not going to panic and that the funds are expected to come through.

She also noted the district hired two literacy coaches to be paid out of the grant fund, and they are going to start the school year off with the coaches because they anticipate receiving those funds. The district may have to wait until the funds come through though to get the new literacy curriculum they were planning on purchasing with the funds.

School Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig told the board that he wanted to recognize students Daylin Clark, Elijah Grogg, Nathan Scherha and Kiera Mae Willis for outstanding work on the Volt Track project which was honored at the Ohio Invention League Convention held at COSI in Columbus. Ludwig noted that the students have been invited to present at the Ohio Statehouse in January.

Ludwig also extended the best of luck to all the fall sports teams and his thanks to the Buildings and Grounds crew for their work in getting the district’s buildings clean and well kept.

During the finance portion of the meeting, board members approved the financial reports and appropriations resolution, Amended Certificate, the Cash Summary and Cash Received report and the Disbursement and Receipt Report, both for July, plus the Red Tree Commercial Paper report and the administrative salary schedule as presented to them.

During the personnel portion of the meeting, the board members approved and accepted the resignation of Jordan Boone, kindergarten teacher, North Elementary, effective Aug. 31.

Board members also approved 57 classified substitutes for a variety of positions, six supplemental positions, classified and certified appointments, contract renewals and volunteers.

Ludwig told the board the district is excited to welcome 13 new staff members, and the district is preparing for a strong start with onboarding taking place Aug. 20-21

An administrative appointment was approved for the 2025-2026 school year for Stacy McNally, principal, LaCroft Elementary, with a one-year contract effective Aug. 1.

Ludwig commented on the new hires McNalley; Richard Zink, auto tech instructor; and Howard Williams, high school math teacher.

He said McNalley’s energy is contagious, and her student-first mindset is already clear. He noted that Zink was a graduate of the school’s auto tech program, and as a seasoned veteran, he is ready to make the program his own. He said Williams is a successful Potter alumnus both academically and athletically and that he just wrapped up a strong student athlete career in football at Fairmont State. Ludwig also said the district is proud to welcome him home.

Also under personnel, board members approved multiple agreements with Wills Mobility; PsyCare Inc.; Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for Ohio Substitute Teacher Services (OSTS); T-Mobile for bus radios and Push-to-Talk Communications Solutions.

Board members approved a lease agreement between the East Liverpool City School District and the East Liverpool Area Community and Learning Center for use of the parking lot adjacent to the athletic field. The agreement includes a one-time payment of $15,000.00 for a 15-year lease term beginning Aug. 1, 2025.

The East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education usually meets the fourth Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the district’s administration building, but due to teacher in-service day being scheduled the same day as the August meeting, the board has moved the August meeting up a week and it will be held on Aug. 21.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com