EAST LIVERPOOL — East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education appointed new officers during its annual reorganization meeting Thursday.

While David Hamilton was reappointed to the position of board president, Tamar Cooper was appointed to the position of vice president.

Both Hamilton and Cooper were sworn in immediately after voting on the position.

Returning board member Matt Handley, who was up for re-election in November, was also sworn in.

Board member Roberto Grogg was appointed as the legislative liaison for calendar year 2026.

Hamilton was named the Fawcett Foundation designee and Cooper remained the designee for the East Liverpool High School Alumni Association City Schools Education and Scholarship Fund.

Board members unanimously voted to keep the meeting dates and times the same – the fourth Thursday of month at 6 p.m. at the Westgate Administration Building.

The board approved the following legal counsel for calendar year 2026: Pepple and Waggoner Ltd., and Ennis Britton Co., LPA for general representation, contract negotiations and litigation/contested matters; Bricker and Eckler Attorney at Law for Ohio School Facilities Project Bond Counsel and Ohio School Facilities Project Construction Counsel; Taft, Stettinius & Hollister L.L.P. for counsel on grants and community schools; Squire, Patton, Boggs for legal financial advisors; and Amanda E. Gordon, McDonald Hopkins LLC, Cleveland for counsel on financing projects.

The board also designated The Review in East Liverpool as the official newspaper of the district; approved the annual establishment of the Board Service Fund in an amount not to exceed $2 per child enrolled in the district as of Oct. 2023, as prescribed by the Ohio Revised Code, and board member compensation of $125 per meeting, the maximum allowed by law for a maximum of 24 meetings; and allowed board members to participate at their own expense in group health and dental insurance plans provided to employees of the district as permitted by Ohio Revised Code.

Board members approved the annual membership fees of $225 for the 2026 calendar year for OSBA Legal Assistance Fund Consultant Service and 22 standing authorizations approved annually for the treasurer and superintendent.

The Athletic Committee consists of Handley as chairperson and Hamilton. The Personnel Committee consists of Cooper as chairperson and Handley. The Curriculum/Technology Committee is comprised of Cooper as chairperson and Hamilton. The Audit/Finance Committee and the Buildings/Grounds Committee both have Grogg as chairperson and an unnamed board member.

The unnamed board member is due to a vacancy on the board and will be named once a candidate is selected.

The board closed out the reorganization meeting by accepting the resignation of board member Mario Hernandez, who had to resign due to relocating outside the district, and approving the advertisement for candidates to fill the vacancy.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 29 at 6 p.m.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com