SALEM — The Salem school board agreed Monday to seek renewal of a 2-mill permanent improvement levy on the November ballot.
School Treasurer Michael Douglas said the five-year levy has been in place for several years and generates $660,000 per year which is used for building improvements. As a renewal, the levy won’t cost taxpayers anymore than what they’re already paying.
The resolution of necessity for the levy was part of the consent agenda approved by the board, along with numerous personnel matters, routine agreements and appropriations.
The board decided to cancel next month’s meeting, so the next meeting won’t be until August, barring any need for a special meeting.
In a matter related to the Hannah E. Mullins School of Practical Nursing, which the board oversees, a pay freeze was enacted for all nursing school faculty and staff members at the fiscal year 2022 pay rates, effective July 1. The nursing school operates independent of the Salem school district.
Douglas said the pay freeze was requested by the HEMSPN director due to enrollment numbers being down, in part due to the pandemic. He said the idea is to try to get the enrollment numbers up for fall.
The full-time program is 44 weeks stretched out over 11 months, with graduates earning a certificate as a licensed practical nurse and the ability to sit for the LPN licensure test. The school is located at the Kent State University City Center, 230 N. Lincoln Ave., Suite 3, Salem.
To learn more about opportunities at the school, visit hemspn.edu or call 330-332-8940.
Contracts were renewed for HEMSPN employees Debra Baker and Deanne Russell at last year’s pay rate.
The board granted new contracts for several administrators, including a five-year deal for Douglas as treasurer and chief financial officer which expires July 31, 2027. Three-year contracts from Aug. 1 this year to July 31, 2025 were approved for high school principal Todd McLaughlin, junior high principal Matthew Ziegler, special education director Kristy Erb, and Jamie Kemats, administrative specialist: coordinator of government programs, director of testing and curriculum director.
Three-year contracts from July 1 this year to June 30, 2025 were approved for administrative assistant Teresa Roberts and full-time nurses Linda Thomas and Megan Boyle.
Board member Dr. Joe Shivers commented on the retirement of physical education teacher Jodie Hippely after 26 years, which the board accepted with regret, but sincere appreciation, noting he was sorry to see her go. He said she supported her colleagues well.
In cafeteria matters, the board approved the Seamless Summer Option, which is the summer feeding program, at the high school cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program actually started on June 6 after school was done for the summer and will continue through Aug. 12. Kids 18 and under can eat for free and the cost for adults is $4. The board agreed to contract with Nutrition Group for food services for the 2022-2023 school year, with four one-year renewals built into the contract.
In other matters, the board approved Southeast summer school from Aug. 8-12 and appointed Dr. Austin Frederickson as school medical director for the 2022 calendar year.
The board hired the following teachers: Logan Daggy, junior/senior high intervention specialist; Ryan Powell, junior/senior high intervention specialist; Timothy Taafe, junior/senior high integrated social studies; Lilly Bogunovich, junior/senior high integrated social studies; Mary R. Clark, junior/senior high English language arts.
The board approved the resignations of transportation secretary Jody Edie, bus driver and cafeteria worker Howard Loudon, cafeteria worker Linda Cosgrove, social studies teacher Michael Maietta, and social studies teacher Jordyn Burke.
The board approved athletic supplementals for boys tennis head coach Keith Parker, 9th grade head football coach Daryl Kurts, 8th grade football assistant coach Cory Wonner, 7th grade football assistant coach Cooper Gottschling and Nico Drayer, 7th-8th grade football assistant coach.
In other personnel matters, the board: approved a non-athletic supplemental for Anthony Savric, National honor society; approved a psychologist supplemental for Elizabeth Christiani, behavior specialist; approved teachers and nurses for Kindergarten Camp set from Aug. 8 through Aug. 12; approved workers for the Junior High Orientation Camp set for Aug. 17-18; approved summer school instructors Brooke Skiba, Megan Ellis, Amber Waller, and Logan Daggy; approved the award of Salem Education Association bids to Karen Klempay, title I position at Buckeye Elementary; Kylie Baker, 3rd grade teacher Reilly Elementary; and Alexandra Winner, 2nd grade position Buckeye Elementary.
Other personnel matters included the awarding of Ohio Association of Public School Employees bids to Kris While, high school secretary; Veronica Shadle, junior/senior high school secretary; Clarissa Moore, duty aide Buckeye Elementary; and Jennifer Burbick, cafeteria cashier, Reilly Elementary.
Summer school bus drivers approved were Vicki Brewer and Lanette Elasovich, both for Reilly Elementary. The board also approved: the hirings of Amanda Fowler, Secretary at Southeast Elementary, Tiffany Knight, cafeteria position at Reilly elementary school, and Katie Yakubek, auxiliary clerk, at St. Paul Elementary; retroactively approved the appointment of Anthony Martinelli for the annual art show May 12; and approved a pay scale increase for Ashley Taafe from MA plus15 to MA plus 30.
mgreier@salemnews.net
