LISBON — A teacher instrumental in the success of local robotics programs is retiring from the Columbiana County Educational Service enter.

The ESC approved the retirement resignation of Jeff Gill during the March Board of Education meeting.

Gill currently works as the ESC’s production lab consultant and his retirement is effective on June 30.

“He has been instrumental in the success of our robotics programs and the production lab at the Columbiana County Career and Technical Center,” ESC Superintendent Marie Williams said during the meeting. “He was a tremendous teacher in Salem and has continued to make a significant impact on students in robotics, coding, 3D printing, and drones. His expertise will be greatly missed.”

According to minutes of the meeting posted online, Wiliams also said a team from Columbiana, the Almighty Cheeto puffs, and a team from Crestview, the CR Dunkaroos, scored high enough at the state robotics competitions to advance to the World Championship in St. Louis, April 28-30.

“Special thanks to Alia for judging two competitions and to Dennis for his work preparing for judging,” Williams said, according to the minutes.

Alia West is a member of the board and Dennis Dunham is the ESC Director of Teaching and Learning.

Dunham also took some time during the meeting to than Gill for his work.

“Jeff and his team did an excellent job with all of the robotics competitions. There was a lot happening in a short period of time, and they handled it exceptionally well,” Dunham said.

Board member Jeff Stoudt also thanked Gill.

“Jeff Gill has done an outstanding job for the ESC. We are going to miss him,” he said.