AUSTINTOWN — The Austintown Board

of Education has approved Strollo Architects to begin designs for a new athletic facility on school grounds.

Superintendent David Cappuzzello said the priority for the project is revamping the home side bleachers in the stadium. Some foundation repairs will be made and a restroom and locker rooms will be added. He said the district also may look to add an indoor practice facility with a turf field.

“Simply put, if we were in Florida, we wouldn’t need this facility,” Cappuzzello said. “But with the springs we have, this facility will help our athletes compete to the best of their abilities.”

The entire project will not exceed $14 million, he said. The board voted 4-1 to hire Strollo Architects with board member Harold Porter voting no without comment.

Cappuzzello said an indoor facility would enable all teams to practice and compete, despite weather concerns. It especially would help baseball and softball teams, which often deal with a host of canceled games due to rain.

In the fall, it would be useful to alleviate scheduling conflicts among sports and would allow the marching band to practice when it is raining, he said.

The district also may look to start intramural leagues for various sports. These leagues would also use the indoor facility. Cappuzzello said this would allow more students to stay active, because the leagues would play during the school day and could attract those who may not have a desire to join a sports team.

In other business Monday, the board approved several new hires:

∫ Katie Corbett will fill the open position of Title I teacher at Austintown Intermediate School, with a starting salary of $50,051;

∫ Erica DiFrancesco will replace Chloe Kephart as language arts teacher at Fitch High School, with a starting salary of $35,148;

∫ Maria McKeen will fill a new position as a K-12 art teacher, with a placement at Austintown Middle School for the coming school year, with a starting salary of $38,875;

∫ Derek Summer will replace Amy Fierst as a K-12 intervention specialist, with placement at the intermediate school with a starting salary of $46,326;

∫ Mark D’Eramo will replace Stacy Sahli as a high school science teacher, with a starting salary of $44,569;

∫ John Anthony will replace Kyle O’Donnell as K-12 music teacher, with a starting salary of $57,890.

The board also accepted the transfer of Kathy Schmidt to AIS custodian turn leader and the transfer of Julie Kiss to Austintown Elementary School custodian turn leader.

Several employees’ contracts for extracurricular activities were extended. They include Anne Marenkovic as athletic trainer, Cynthia McCutcheona as Fitch Link Crew adviser, and William Klein and Jeremy McClaine as FHS co-band directors.

The board accepted the retirement of Darlene Wiery from her position in food service after she had been with the district for 25 years. It accepted the resignation of Jason Marcum as AFH intervention specialist, Sara Rodgers as attendance coordinator and Kyle O’Donnell as K-12 music teacher.

In other action, the board:

∫ Accepted almost $2,000 in donations;

∫ Approved school nurses, Bethany Martinez and Sue Tamulonis, each being compensated $3,500 for overtime worked in the previous school year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

escott@tribtoday.com