CANFIELD — The Canfield board of education opened its Weednesday board meeting by swearing in its new members, Betsy Ahlquist and Steven DeMaiolo.

The board then elected Nader Atway as 2024 president and Traci DeCapua as vice president. Ahlquist also was selected as legislative liaison and DeMaiolo was chosen for student achievement liaison.

Superintendent Joe Knoll took the floor and showed a brief video of students thanking the board. Gift bags were distributed and a proclamation was read for School Board Appreciation Month.

Resident Frank Micchia addressed the board on the issue of new schools.

“It appears we are going to try for another bond issue,” Micchia said. “I would like to propose a straw hat.”

Micchia suggested the board members look at building one new K-8 building that includes the board offices. The new structure could be built on the present middle school site.

“Then you could tear down C.H. Campbell and Hilltop Elementary, return the property to R-1 (residential) and sell it,” Micchia said. “You can also sell the Shields Road property and just go with two buildings.”

Atway responded to Micchia and said, “A K-8 building was on the ballot the first time and it was rejected by voters.”

No other discussion was held on the subject during the meeting.

In other business:

The board set the monthly meetings for the second Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the high school.

Knoll declared the Jan. 23 basketball game with Austintown Fitch as Military Appreciation Night. He said all veterans will get into the game free.