Eastern Local staff members honored at Wednesday’s meeting included (from left) Angie Weeks, Mildred Wilson, Sheila Connolly and Jody Howard.

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TUPPERS PLAINS — The Eastern Local Board of Education approved several agenda items and honored staff members during this week’s regular meeting.

Student Achievement Liaison and Board President Floyd Ridenour presented certificates to faculty and staff members for going “above and beyond” the call of duty.

Eastern Elementary staff member Sheila Connolly spoke about the work of four individuals during a parental situation recently at the school. Connolly also read a poem about courage and facing fears.

Angie Weeks, Mildred Wilson, Jody Howard and Bobbi Harbour were then recognized as was Connolly.

Ridenour also recognized high school students of the month Alex Hendrix, Josh Shook, Marshall Aanestad and Maria Sharp.

Several personnel items were approved during the meeting.

Pupil activity contracts and supplemental contracts were approved as follows, Dwayne Wadley, weight training coach spring quarter; Jake Lynch, paid varsity assistant baseball coach; Monty Wood, interim boys eighth grade basketball coach effective Jan. 29; Brian Bowen, boys varsity baseball coach; Michael Owen, paid assistant varsity track coach.

The resignation of Joel Lynch as eighth grade boys basketball coach was accepted effective Jan. 28.

Substitute teachers approved for the remainder of the school year were Abe Alassaf, Daniel A. Fulton, Kevin A. Porter and Diane M. Smith. Robin Werry was approved as a substitute secretary.

John Taylor was approved as academic interventionist and math tutor for the after school SOAR program. Tara Stowe was approved as an academic intervention specialist for the SOAR program.

Amy Hill, Jeff Hill, Chris Adams, Dave Woolard, Floyd Ridenour, Jeanie Ridenour, Jenny Ridenour, Matt Ridenour, Robin Swain and Jay Swain were approved as volunteer instructors for the after school archery program.

Wanda Shuler was approved as a home bound tutor for up to five hours per week.

An end of course exam was adopted for American Government and United States History as directed by Senate Bill 165.

Membership in the Ohio School Board Association was approved at a cost of $2,658.

A donation of $500 was accepted from Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, Kyger Creek Station, for technological advancement.

The board approved advertising for bids for a new 72 passenger bus.

Posting of a part time athletic director position for the remainder of the school year was approved. The new position will work with the current athletic director for the remainder of the school year to learn the position.

A field trip was approved for SOAR students and chaperones.

A trip to Gatlinburg was approved for the concert band who will be performing in Gatlinburg over spring break.

The Project LAUNCH grant from Ohio University for items in the sensory lab in the amount of $4,005.83.

Appropriation adjustments were approved as follows, $4,005.83, Project LAUNCH; $8,436.87, Race to the Top; $11,903.18, Title VI-B; $7,634.12, Title I; $7,662.49, Tittle II-A; $2,000, National Archery in School Program.

Superintendent Scot Gheen and Legislative Liaison Adam Will talked about what the recent budget proposal by Ohio Governor John Kasich will have on the school districts.

Eastern Local will be on a flat line budget with no cut or increase over the next year in Kasich’s plan.

Gheen also stated that a bill has been proposed in the Ohio House of Representatives concerning the school voucher program.

An update on Race to the Top was given by Deborah Kerwood. Kerwood said that during a recent waiver day teachers worked to write student learning objectives as will be required by the new Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES).

Principals Shawn Bush and Bill Francis talked about the recent active shooter training as well as other upcoming events in the school.

Principal Jody Howard spoke about the efforts being put forth by teachers and staff at the elementary school to meet goals that have been set including the third grade guarantee.

All board members were present at the meeting.

The next Eastern Local Board of Education meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20 in the Eastern Elementary Library conference room.