Anson Wiegand, treasurer, East Liverpool City Schools, administers the oath of office to new board member Jennifer Davis. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

EAST LIVERPOOL — The East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education swore in new board member Jennifer Davis during Thursday’s meeting.

Davis fills the seat vacated by Mario Hernandez and will serve out the remainder of the term.

Davis took her board seat immediately after being sworn in. She said she was both overwhelmed and excited to be serving.

Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig told the board that five robotics teams — three from Westgate Middle School and two from the Junior High School — qualified for state.

Also in his report, Ludwig said that The Career Tech programs continue making an impact with the fifth- and sixth-grade students at Westgate Middle School by introducing them to opportunities available to them at the high school.

For parent teacher conferences, 909 conferences were held throughout the district.

“This strong participation reflects meaningful engagement between families and staff,” Ludwig said. He also said that it noted a strong participation for the second half of the year.

For athletic achievement, Ludwig recognized Lani Rudibaugh, senior, who is heading to the state bowling competition following her second-place finish at districts with a 491 series.

He also noted that Elijah Grogg, senior, received state recognition from the Ohio Auditor of State for his Eagle Scout project. Grogg’s project was also named Eagle Scout Project of the Year by the Buckeye Council for a project that made a meaningful community impact.

Kamryn Yanni, senior, ELHS ambassador to the Business Advisory Council, gave a tour of the high school as part of a county wide outreach to bring students from across the county into the high school.

Nursing student Presley Jones, senior, and nursing teacher Nikki Dozier were recognized by Ludwig for Presley using the education and skills taught by Dozier to save the life of a bus driver while students were at an away game.

The board under finance approved the financial report as presented to them, a bus lease purchase agreement, the district’s five-year forecast and a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission and authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor.

For personnel, the board members accepted the resignations of Roxanne Kelly, food service, effective Feb. 8, and Diana Hiemstra, custodian, for retirement purposes, effective April 30.

Also approved was a list of 99 supplemental employees for the 2026-2027 school year and two classified appointments, three volunteers, and an administrative appointment for the current school year and continue membership with the Ohio High School Athletic Association for interscholastic athletic competition for the 2026-2027 school year.

Board Member Tamar Cooper, chair, East Liverpool High School Alumni Association City Schools Education Scholarship Fund, said that $1,955.29 was awarded in scholarships, with the majority of it going to to teachers with STEM-related requests and $200 for a classroom keyboard to help students with disabilities and fine motor skills problems.

There was no one to speak during public speaking and no correspondence, old business or new business.

The East Liverpool City Schools Board of Education meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Westgate Administration building. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March. 26.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com