School start dates by district:

Austintown Aug. 28 

Boardman Wednesday

Beaver Local Monday

Campbell Monday

Aug. 28 (K)

Canfield Monday (7-12) Wednesday (K-6)

Columbiana Wednesday

Jackson Milton Sept. 6

Lowellville Monday (4-12)

Friday (K-3)

Leetonia Monday

Lisbon Monday

Sebring Aug. 17

South Range Monday

Springfield Sept. 6

Struthers Monday

West Branch Sept. 6 

Youngstown Wednesday

YOUNGSTOWN — Public schools in Mahoning County have made significant updates to safety and technology as they gear up for the 2023-24 school year.

The Youngstown City School District, for example, has made hefty security improvements since the board of education applied for and received one of Gov. Mike DeWine’s K-12 safety grants.

“Our district already has an extensive security plan, and we saw these funds as an additional avenue to help further enhance security measures,” Stacy Quinones, communications and public relations director, explained.

“The funds were utilized to purchase cameras from Verkada, which builds physical state-of-the-art security systems. That is in conjunction with a cabling project to install the new system properly. East (High School) and Rayen Early College cameras were installed this year. We are currently in the process of installing new cabling and cameras at the remaining locations.”

Building realignment this school year involves Rayen Early College Middle School adjusting to follow the same yearly calendars as both Chaney and East middle schools.

The Youngstown school board and administration had ongoing dialogue regarding overcrowding at Kirkmere Elementary School, Quinones said. The school’s enrollment has exceeded available classroom space, leading to students being transferred to Volney Rogers Elementary at 2400 S. Schenley Ave. for the 2023-24 school year. “The district promptly communicated with families about this change and ensured the movement would be smooth. Transportation was not impacted, and especially the quality of education our scholars will receive just a few minutes’ drive from their previous home school,” Quinones said.

The school board named a new superintendent, Jeremy Batchelor, in early July. Batchelor has worked in education more than 26 years, including the past six as Youngstown’s deputy superintendent, chief of staff and principal of East High.

Other leadership changes are former Chaney High School principal Robert Kearns elevating to district chief of staff, leaving his current executive director of operations and student experience position. Aaron Bouie III is chief academic officer and no longer will be the district’s executive director of elementary teaching and learning. Ava Yeager, a state-level expert on grants and federal programs and current executive director of school improvement, will serve as chief of school improvement, overseeing all funding sources and how they are used to support instructional and social-emotional improvement across the district.

Among new principals is Kelly Washington, former assistant superintendent of Ashtabula City Schools and former Ohio Department of Education consultant, serving at Kirkmere Elementary after the departure of Michelle Payich.

Michael Sauner will take on the principal position at Chaney Middle School at McGuffey Campus. Sauner is a veteran principal with previous experience in the Austintown and Western Reserve districts.

The school board and its teachers union have been negotiating to avoid a threatened strike on the first day of school Wednesday. Talks are expected to continue Monday.

Here are changes at other districts that responded to inquiries from The Vindicator:

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown, like Campbell, was somewhat early in Mahoning County with its safety upgrades, and the district has not made many new changes to its features. It has, however, made many administrative changes since selecting Tim Kelty as the district’s new superintendent, replacing David Cappuzzello in March. Kelty previously served as head principal at Fitch High School, and before 2019, Woodside Elementary head principal, assistant principal at Austintown Intermediate School, and both assistant and head principal at Austintown Elementary School.

Angel Owens, previously the intermediate school’s head principal, will take over as ninth-grade principal at the high school. Jim Riccardo, 10th grade principal, along with Jeff Swavel, 11th grade prinicpal, also will serve as assistant principals to new head principal Salvatore Maiorana.

Austintown Middle School hired Andrew Scarmack as the eighth-grade principal, Jim Penk will return to AMS as seventh-grade principal, and Joanie Jones is standing in as the sixth-grade principal. Janet Polish was brought on as assistant principal for the entire building.

Robin Vickers will serve as AIS head principal, and Dorothy Reppy, former language arts teacher at AMS, becomes assistant principal.

The elementary building will be led by Catherine Dorbish. Former high school principal Chris Berni, and Timothy Pappagallo, former assistant principal at AIS, will serve as assistant principals at AES.

Over the summer, the district made changes to athletic facilities, such as new bleachers and a press box. The distric also is expected to build a new wellness center.

BOARDMAN

The Boardman school district added 10 new two-way radios, new ID fob systems to all common entrances and a new privacy film layer between windows, paid for by the PTA.

The district created a new position for former Glenwood Junior High School Principal Bart Smith. In his new role as coordinator of student supports, Smith will specialize in social and emotional learning for all K-12 students. He will focus on helping students with coping and relationship building; the post complements Center Intermediate School’s new Social and Emotional Learning Center.

Air conditioning improvements through Ohio’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Programs will be made in all three elementary schools, while Center Intermediate and Glenwood Junior High are expected to have their AC systems finished throughout the school year, Amy Radinovic, communications coordinator for the district, said.

“Spartan Stadium is complete,” Radinovic said, as the school’s high school football stadium has been upgraded with new wiring for connectivity. The donor brick area also has been expanded, as more concrete has been added to walkways surrounding the track.

Sports officiating and a Holocaust-focused class have been added to the high school curriculum. An information technology class also was added to the course list, and it will provide IT certification opportunities for students. A partnership with the Educational Service Center also has provided a new drone program to the district.

CAMPBELL

Superintendent Matthew Bowen explained that his district made several safety improvements over the last few years. Through grant money from the state, “big improvements were made,” he said. Things such as proximity card reader systems, cameras and other back-end servers have continued being updated throughout this summer.

Bowen said Campbell Elementary and Northeast Ohio Impact Academy saw $99,617 spent on comprehensive improvements. The Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center, on the same campus as the elementary and CLWCC buildings, also received upgrades.

Campbell Memorial High School’s received about $50,000 for security upgrades, Bowen added. “We were one of the first districts in the area to be awarded. In total, we were awarded $124,533.72 through grant processes, and none of it came from general revenue, which caused no burden to taxpayers.”

CANFIELD

The school board approved a plan in June to seek a bond issue to finance new buildings and renovations. Canfield hopes to raise $104,954,912 to build a new middle school, a new combined elementary school and to make select renovations to the high school and to the former Hilltop Elementary that would house the board of education offices.

The plan includes building a new K-4 elementary school at the Hilltop school site, a new grades 5-8 middle school at the Canfield Village Middle School site, renovations to the high school and the abatement of the C.H. Campbell building. The school board offices also would be moved to the former Hilltop school building and a second gym would be built at the middle school after the move.

With a $400,000 safety grant, the Cardinals spread $100,000 investments to each school. Some features include a new security vestibule at the high school, smash-resistant windows, security cameras, new PA systems at the elementary and middle schools and resource officer Mike Sroka at both elementary schools.

The high school hired Mark Potts as principal; Richard Prescott, assistant principal; and interim athletic director Greg Cooper will look over district sports. Superintendent Joe Knoll commented: “We made a substantial purchase in tech with our 28 new interactive boards for K-4.”

JACKSON MILTON

Jackson-Milton Superintendent Kirk Baker welcomed Holly Welch as the new elementary school principal. Baker also said the district will implement new electives this school year. They are public speaking, virtual geography, drone class, college credit-plus math, multi-media art, greenhouse to garden and computer literacy.

The administration also has entered into an agreement using grant money with CadenceCare, which will be able to provide support and technical assistance to help school staff identify mental health issues, provide early identification and screening of depression and other health-related concerns.

Jackson-Milton Elementary School replaced a majority of its entrance doors through a grant and is also installing a new public address system. The middle school and high school replaced 66 HVAC units through a grant for cleaner air.

New stadium lights on the field between the two schools and home bleachers going up on the west side of the football field are two other new projects.

SEBRING

The district upgraded from 64 districtwide cameras to 152.

Additionally, “We installed vape detection detectors in the bathrooms,” Superintendent Toni Viscounte noted. “They detect vape and marijuana smoke, high carbon dioxide levels, bullying and fights, hazardous gas and chemical spills, gunfire and much more.”

They also added a new Raptor emergency drill management system. Raptor integrates with 911 through the use of a panic button for staff members. It includes a re-unification program, and emergency drill manager for fire and lockdown drills. The staff is expecting Raptor to beinstalled fully and implemented by the middle of fall. Like other schools in the county, Sebring purchased services through Alta Behavioral Healthcare for social worker services. The district will also receive social worker services through Akron Children’s Hospital.

While no administrative changes were made over summer break, the high school will be stepping into a different direction with athletics. Sebring’s football program will be competing in the Northern-8 football conference that began in 2020. The team will be go into the 2023 season as one of the first eight-man teams in northeast Ohio.

Cultures and cuisine, jazz band, musical theater, and drones are new high school courses.

SOUTH RANGE

New Superintendent Jared Zapolnik said this year the district will focus on safety and resources. “The district has updated its public address system, purchased new two-way radios, and installed safety film on all ground-level windows in entranceways in the K-12 complex,” Zapolnik said.

A new initiative, the “Raider Way,” is being implemented for the new school year. “With facilities like our resurfaced gymnasium and turf field, our students are ready to participate in highly competitive school activities,” the superintendent explained. “Our community involvement and support are leading the charge for our stadium entrance construction project at no additional cost to the taxpayers — unmatched in the area.”

South Range Elementary and Middle schools will expand their sensory and multisensory classrooms, while K-4 English-language arts staff will use new programs in their classrooms. Kindergarten teachers will use Really Great Reading and first through fourth grades will use Wonders.

SPRINGFIELD

New Superintendent Rachael Smith, former principal at Youngstown Community School, has surpassed 27 years in the education field. She also taught for several years before getting into administrative roles, having also served at in Campbell as director of special services.

The district also promoted David Malone from within, as he previously served as principal of the K-6 school. Malone is high school principal.

Jason Wilson, of Stow, will serve as principal of the K-6 school. Kathy Jo Beverly has been assigned to the district’s treasurer position.

Smith said the district has updated communication systems and expanded radio options with the Springfield Township Police Department. Common door entrances also have been updated with protection film.

Similar to Boardman, Springfield will continue to expand on technologies with robotics, along with a new drone program through the ESC.

STRUTHERS

Struthers schools additionally received a security grant from the state last year, and will continue updating cameras in all schools, and a new PA system in middle schools and video phones in classrooms. The football stadium is getting new LED lights.

A new assistant principal, Larry Sammartino, will oversee the elementary school. Superintendent Peter Pirone Jr. said the district also looks forward to using newly placed HVAC systems throughout all of the buildings.

Pirone added that a new science curriculum will be used for third- through eighth-graders, describing it as a hands-on approach, based on Savvas Learning Co.

WESTERN RESERVE

Superintendent Dallas Saunders said the district worked on access-control features, including installation of shatterproof film in all common entrances, as well as upgraded camera systems.

“We have a heavy emphasis on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), and we’re focusing on exposing our elementary students to as much tech as we can,” Saunders said about academic updates. Samantha Steele will be leading the new STEAM lab.

Reserve also will start a women’s golf team. Troy Radinsky, new assistant principal and athletic director, will help with the introductory phase of the program.

“We want to look at drone opportunities, professionally, because it’s definitely something we’re looking at for our high school,” Saunders said, adding he hopes the district gets more involved with drones and e-sports.

IN TRUMBULL COUNTY

LIBERTY

Liberty High School will see roof replacement over most of the building, fresh paint jobs along with Blott and Guy elementaries, which will each receive new playground equipment, and a completed QuickMed facility.

The Leopards are partnering with the Cleveland Browns as a part of the “Stay in the Game” attendance program. For security measures, new locks are installed in all classrooms PK-12, adding to a new districtwide security system in the process of implementing bidding, according to Matt Roth, public relations coordinator at the Trumbull County Educational Services Center.

The athletic department’s track has been resurfaced, as a donation by Lena Esmail. Specifically for the football team, there’s a locker room renovation and partnership with the Cleveland Browns for donation of new helmets and spikes.

GIRARD

Building improvements involve a districtwide wireless technology upgrade, Girard Intermediate and Prospect Elementary fire alarm systems are upgraded, plus their classrooms repainted, intermediate and elementary parking lot resurfacing, and Arrowhead Stadium and the bus garage pavement project completed.

Bids have been secured for a new camera security system, and safety shield film for common doorways.

The school board also elected Julianne Ware as associate superintendent. Ware, with 19 years of education experience, previously served as principal of Girard’s intermediate school. Bill Bogan, most recently from Parma Community Schools as an intermediate principal, will be replacing Ware. Throughout Bogan’s 17 years in education, he spent time in Ashtabula and Warren City Schools as well, according to Roth.

Some other changes include Michael Cochran’s assignment as supervisor of student wellness and strength, Brenda Madden as transportation director, and Jackie Squibbs as cafeteria manager.

Academic updates in Girard feature Houghton, Mifflin and Harcourt Into Reading and Literature.

HUBBARD

The district expanded and upgraded its high school weight room. The renovation includes new turf and cardio equipment. This project was completed through private donations, Kristie Steyer of TCESC said.

The middle school launched a new mentorship program this school year. Where Everyone Belongs is for a select group of eighth-grade students to mentor the fifth-graders WEB will be leading activities and giving tours during orientation and progressively through the school year. “It encourages older students to connect with and support our younger students,” Steyer explained. Administration also believes it will help to train the eighth graders in leadership skills.

The Eagles hired nine new teachers, five new paraprofessionals, and new K-8 assistant principal Danielle Leigh.

Hubbard installed new security cameras throughout the K-12 campus.

Greenwood Chevrolet of Hubbard pledged a $10,000 donation to benefit the athletic department and the three schools. Over the last five years, Greenwood of Hubbard has donated $62,000 to Hubbard schools.

MCDONALD

The district completed the third-phase of an athletic facilities project. Sidewalks and fencing are the latest steps toward the final product.

With athletics, the high school will feature a girls golf team for the upcoming season.

The Blue Devils now have a media production course, and an afterschool program for elementary school. New protective window film is constructed into common entrances.

MINERAL RIDGE

Ridge is getting involved with the esports through a new advanced computer class that will include work with drones through the Drones in School Drone Racing League.