TUPPERS PLAINS — Long-time Eastern Local Schools Chief Financial Officer was awarded a new contract during last week’s board meeting.

The Eastern Local Board of Education approved the five-year contract with a base pay rate of $67,900 by a 4-0 vote.

Ritchie’s contract had expired at the end of July, but an agenda items for a three-year contract was pulled from the August board meeting agenda.

The board accepted the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (ESSC) Grant for an estimated $355,000 per year for a three-year period. A contract was approved with McQuire and Associates to serve as the external evaluator for the grant.

The five-year forecast was approved as presented by Ritchie.

A letter of retirement from Carl Baringer effective Dec. 31, 2012, as elementary custodian was approved. A letter of resignation effective Jan. 4, 2013, from Betsy Martindale, teacher’s aide, was accepted.

Substitute teachers approved for the 2012-13 school year pending proper certification were, Jonathan Copen, Kelli A. Dawkins, Audrey E. Hogan, Jessica Marcum, Sarah F. Martindale, Shannon Plummer, Mary V. Price, Jack A. Sigman, Alyssa Webb, and Kevin Williams.

Mary Price was approved as a substitute nurse for the 2012-13 school year. Substitute aides approved were, Carmen D. Clark, Brittany Hill, Janelle McDonald, and Mary Price.Heather Elliott was approved as a substitute secretary.

Pupil activity and supplemental contracts were awarded to Robyn Hawk, elementary yearbook advisor; Josh Fogle, head track coach; Joel Lynch, eighth grade boys basketball coach; Jake Lynch, seventh grade boys basketball coach; Monty Wood, volunteer junior high boys basketball coach; Tim Baum, girls assistant varsity basketball coach; Nathan Carroll, volunteer assistant eighth

The resignation of Denny Facemyer, boys assistant varsity basketball coach, and Jill Kasler, girls assistant varsity basketball coach, were accepted.

NEOLA policies were approved as presented.

An agreement was approved to pay Lisa Averion $6.09 per day for transportation of a student was approved in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 3327.02, retroactive to Sept. 4.

One returning student was approved for open enrollment.

A field trip to the Circleville Pumpkin Festival was approved for students and chaperones.

The senior trip itinerary was approved as presented by Sheryl Roush and Robyn Hawk. The trip to Florida will take place April 19-26.

Heather Wolfe was approved as the ESC/DLT representative for the Race to the Top team.

The next regular meeting of the Eastern Local Board of Education will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20 in the Eastern Elementary Library Conference Room.

Details on Wednesday evening’s special meeting will appear in the Friday edition of The Daily Sentinel.