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New faces at Liberty Union




BALTIMORE – Monday night’s meeting was the fourth for Liberty Union-Thurston School Board members since their June 9 regular meeting.

Three special meetings were held to address personnel issues. In that time, the district lost its 29-year veteran, record-setting football coach, Dan Johnson; award-winning band director, Ben Factor; high school science teacher and Race to the Top coordinator, Holly Lavender and host of experienced teachers and staff members.

Lavender and high school intervention specialist Amanda King resignations were accepted at the June 26 special board meeting. Lavender had been on a one year unpaid leave of absence to work with the Ohio Department of Education on curriculum development issues. Retiring Superintendent Paul Mathews told The Beacon that Lavender has extended her contract with the state department for another year.

On June 26, board members hired Kevin Mapes as transportation supervisor to replace Judy Cleland who retired at the end of the school year. Four new teachers were hired during the meeting: Cortni Brunty, first grade; Theresa Roszman, middle school intervention specialist; Jessica Burch, middle school intervention specialist; and Keith Robinson, middle school social studies and language arts. Taylor White received a supplemental contract as flag corps advisor.

Members held another special meeting on July 2 to accept Factor’s resignation. He will become Lancaster High School’s band director. Two new teacher were hired: Bryan Johnson, high school intervention specialist; and Carrie Moenter, high school math teacher. Four supplemental contracts were approved:

• Bryan Johnson, head football coach;

• Brian Bibler, head boys golf coach;

• Carrie Moenter, JV volleyball coach; and

• Mike Sage, volunteer volleyball.

Johnson, no relation to Dan Johnson, most recently served as an assistant football coach at Gahanna Lincoln High School. He left Gahanna Lincoln when his wife went to law school in the Cleveland area, working as an assistant at Maple Heights High School. Division II Maple Heights won the state football championship during his tenure there in 2010. Johnson returned to Gahanna when his wife finished law school.

Dan Johnson submitted his resignation as high school health and physical education teacher at the July 10 special board meeting. Elementary school intervention specialist Kristine Boan resignation was also approved at that meeting. Four new teachers were also hired: Thomas Gaskins, music; Deanne Sanders, first grade; Brandon Twiss, high school health and physical education; and Erik Smoleski, third grade. Two supplemental contracts were approved:

• Thomas Gaskins, band director; and

• Brandon Twiss, varsity assistant football coach.

Gaskins is a 2014 graduate of Univesity of Mount Union. He plays trumpet and piano. Gaskins stayed longer at Mt. Union to serve as student assistant for the band. He started last week and is at camp with the band this week at the University of Rio Grande. University. “We’re real impress with him,” Mathews told The Beacon.

Monday night’s meeting was the board’s shortest regular meeting of the year. In about 30 minutes, board members approved school meal prices for the new school year. Prices are the same as last school year:

• Student reduced-price breakfast – free;

• Student reduced-price lunch – $0.40’

• Students breakfasts all buildings – $1.10;

• Elementary student lunch – $2.25; and

• Middle and high school student lunch – $2.50

Middle school student fees were also approved:

• Grade 5 – $38.50;

• Grade 6 – $33.50’

• Grade 7 – $51.50;

• Grade 8 – $39.50 except Mrs. Feyko’s class at $48.25 to include Plus Scope magazine and Mrs. Funk’s class at $42 to substitute Algebra 1 workbook for math workbook.

Members also approved three resignations: high school math teacher, Renea Hittle; head junior high football coach, Ed Mattox; and co-junior high football coach, Rick Magley. Adam Brately was hired as high school athletic direc- for motor vehicles. However, Consolo said he strictly enforces rules applying to golf carts and is not in favor of them operating on any village street. “Golf carts are made out of fiberglass,” he said, adding that golf cart drivers and passengers are in grave danger from being hit by other, heavier vehicles. “If they’re hit by a car, they’re toast,” said Consolo.

In other council news:

• Council member Barry Herron saidcouncil hasn’t decided whether to seek an additional operating levy in November.“The village is in dire straits for money right now,” he said. “It’s to the point where we have to stop people from working. That’s how tight we are on the budget.”

But, Herron said the village would donate $1,500 to the Greater Buckeye Lake Historical Society. As council voted to approve the donation, Ruton voted “no.” She said she’d like for the historical society to have the money, but, “The safety of our officers should come first.” Ruton believes the police department should be a higher priority to receive the $1,500.

Society director J-me Braig said the donation has already been spent. “It has already been spent on the ad in the Chamber Region guide and for the ads for Bog Day in various papers,” she said. “It is used to promote tourism here at the lake.”

• Carroll said the Buckeye Lake Youth Association is looking for new members. “They’re really in need of membership and new ideas,” he said.

• Carroll said he spoke with ODOT representatives and the village may create crosswalks on Ohio 79 through the village. “Pretty much, the village can do whatever we want,” he said. But, the village would need to consult with ODOT about the proper paint to use and digging rumble strips into the pavement near the crosswalk. “There’s a lot to it,” said Carroll.

• Ruton said the Buckeye Lake Fire Department is working to host a blood drive at the station Aug. 30. “This is what we call trauma season,” she said, adding that local high schools and college are out for the summer, and the lack of students, who regularly donate blood, places a strain on blood supplies during the summer. “Right now, we are in a shortage. We can use all blood types,” Ruton said.



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