Shawn Carter was approved by the Wellsville Board of Education as head varsity football coach Monday night. (Photo by Kristi R. Garabrandt)

WELLSVILLE – The Wellsville school board approved a two-year contract for Shawn Carter as the varsity head football coach during Monday’s board meeting.

The board also approved multiple coaches, a certified substitute and the spring play director.

Superintendent David Cappuzzello said they are looking to hire a science teacher and then the district will be good to go for the 2026-2027 school year.

“We are really moving in a good direction. We made some good hires, and we have made a lot of positive moves, and once that all comes together, you are going to see even better results,” Cappuzzello said. “That’s where we are at. I truly believe we are there, and I truly believe the best is yet to come.

Cappuzzello also said he is thrilled with the new football coach and once they nail down test scores with some improvement, it will only get better.

Board members approved monetary donations for the Sr. Class from Sr. Class Parents in the amount $105 and from the Riverside Workshop in the amount of $115; Box tops for the Garfield Principal Fund in the amount of $48.80; Choir from Crossroads in the amount of $84; and Bowling Team from Susan and James Garee in the amount of $50.

The board is giving public notice that the 2026-2027 school calendar is available for review with copies in the superintendent’s office and the district is required to hold a public hearing on the calendar no later than 30 days prior to the adoption of the calendar.

Under fiscal matters, board members approved the financial report as presented to them, then and now certificates, a quote from Generator Systems for a five-year planned maintenance program, the fourth amendment between the City Hospital Association and the district for their independent contractor agreement for the 2026-2027 school year, payments to the Multi-County Juvenile Attention System for fiscal year 2026, a subscription agreement between InsightBoard and the district, membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2026-2027 school year, the ThyssenKrupp Elevator service contact for 2026, the annual agreement between PaySchools and the district for fiscal year 2026, two annual service agreement with Hank’s Sales and Services, the fiscal year 2026 five-year forecast and accepted the amount and tax rates as determined by the Columbiana County Auditor.

Treasurer Maia Amato said that the five-year forecast has changed as they were expecting to see more money in the fall, but the state funding is being cut by $120,000 a month, but the district is still in good standing with revenue. This doesn’t just apply to Wellsville; it’s statewide, Amato said.

Amato also noted the HB186 tax credit is basically setting an inflation tax which prevents schools from exceeding that cap to save property owners money. She said property owners across Ohio would save $1.7 million in property taxes, which amounts to about $66,000 a year the state will be taking back from the district.

Jon Geramita of the Wellsville Teacher Association said that contract negotiations will be starting soon, and he looks forward to getting it over with. He noted that sometimes there is a lot of back and forth, and the two sides don’t always agree, but the association looks forward to maintaining a good relationship with the board.

The board voted to go into an executive session to consider the purchase of property and returned to an open session with no action taken.

Due to the executive session, the principals’ reports were deferred until the next meeting.

The Wellsville Board of Education usually meets the third Monday of each month at 5 p.m. in the media center at the Wellsville Jr. Sr. High, 1 Bengal Blvd. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for March 16.

kgarabrandt@mojonews.com