LISBON — Four after-school program teachers were approved for the East Liverpool School District by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center (ESC) recently.

The instructional contracts for Amy McCormack, Sarah Porter, Michelle Roberts and Katie Hickman were made possible with 21st Century grant funding.

According to minutes of the November ESC board meeting available online, the federal funding is covering the cost of the contracts.

The funding is part of the $1.3 billion released by the U.S. Department of Education over the summer to 21st Century Community Learning Centers across the country.

The local ESC is funding both Leetonia and East Liverpool afterschool programs with the grant money.

Also during the regular board meeting, ESC Superintendent Marie Williams said the ESC is working to continue the “Drive to Succeed” grant in the county through new ESC partnerships.

The grant funding is awarded by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and is administered through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office to eligible ESCs in the state.

The program was initiated by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in 2023 to make driver education more accessible to students.

In other matters, Preschool Supervisor Melissa Puhalla reported to the board that preschool enrollment is continuing to increase, which she noted is “great to see especially this far into the school year.”

Special Education Director Cheryl McGrath also told the board that the new program in Wellsville is fully up and running, they are already looking to expand and are currently seeking an additional special needs teacher.

Items approved by the board were the resignations of Kathy Moore and Anthony Martinelli; Kelly George as a cafeteria worker for the 21st Century afterschool program at East Liverpool Schools, and Donna Klaes, Breanna Smith and Anthony Martinelli as paraeducators for the 2025-26 school year.

Also approved was Family Medical Leave for three people and a first reading of NEOLA policy revisions pertaining to student personal device policy.

The next meeting was set for 5 p.m. Dec. 16.