LISBON — The Columbiana County Career and Technical Center has entered into an oil and gas lease for 52.77 acres of district- owned land.

During the May board of education meeting the board approved leasing the land to Hilcorp Utica, LLC of Houston, Texas, for $26,387.

The five-year lease translates to roughly $500 per acre in revenue for the district. Additionally, the lease includes a 17 percent royalty to be paid to the district by Hilcorp for any oil and gas produced.

The acreage consists of 10 parcels in Center Township and the lease allows for the drilling–horizontally, vertically, or directionally–of oil, gas and coal bed methane and minerals.

The lease also allows for the stimulation or fracture of all coal formations, seams or other strata, and the operation of wells.

However, a well cannot be drilled within 200 feet of any structure located on the leased premises without the district’s consent.

In other matters, the board also approved the hiring of a new treasurer.

Maia Amato was given a three-year contract that begins Aug. 1.

Amato is currently serving as treasurer for the Wellsville School District, and the Wellsville school board recently approved her resignation, which is effective Aug. 1.

Amato will replace longtime career center treasurer Kathy Scanlon who is retiring July 31.

The board also approved hiring Scanlon as a fiscal consultant from Aug. 1-Aug. 31.

Also during the meeting, Superintendent Jeremy Corbisello gave a construction update.

He said everything is going well with the new automotive addition and that they are on target for completion.

He also said he continues to meet with individuals from groups and organizations that look to strengthen career and technical education and work to build community partnerships.

The next meeting was set for 7 p.m. June 16.