MCDONALD — The Board of Education has appointed Mike Morris as its newest board member to fill an opening from the recent resignation of Jody Klase.

Morris was selected from four candidates who sought the position and was sworn in Monday.

Morris, who is a physical therapist and has two children who have attended McDonald schools, will serve the remainder of 2025.

If Morris wants to serve a four-year term on the board, he will need to run in the November general election, officials said.

Klase previously served as board president before she stepped down.

Klase said in her letter that because of increasing work responsibilities and professional obligations, she is no longer able to dedicate the time and attention the board and the community deserve.

Donna Shields, who was previously vice president, was named the new board president at a meeting last week.

Jessica Krumpak was named the new vice president.

In other business, the board passed a resolution to approve and employ substitute bus drivers when the superintendent deems it an emergency. The substitute bus drivers will be employed from a Trumbull County school district, with their background checks to be obtained from their regular school district employer.

Treasurer Amanda Latell said it has been difficult for school districts to get bus drivers, with McDonald often getting help from Weathersfield schools.

The hourly rate of pay for the substitute bus drivers will be their regular pay rate based on the collective bargaining agreement with the driver’s full-time school district of employment.

SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS

The board also approved paying McDonald police officers $31.25 per hour for campus patrol at the two school buildings for days students are in session.

In addition to Chief Ryan Ronghi, officers who will serve in the schools in the 2025-26 school year are Brandon Caraway, Preston Hake, Martez Penn, Ron Pratt, Doug Pesa and Dave Smith.

In other matters, the board:

● Approved a contract with Pantalone Paving Inc. for asphalt resurfacing of back and side parking lots at Roosevelt Elementary School at $49,825.

● Approved Ohio School Plan as the insurance provider for both liability and property insurance, including cybersecurity and pollution control for one year starting July 1 at $61,416.

● Entered into a cooperative transportation agreement with Trumbull County Educational Service Center and Community Bus Service for transporting district students.

● Tabled to the next meeting a shared services agreement with Maplewood Local Schools for a director of special education services to be shared between the two districts. Officials said they are waiting for the Maplewood Board of Education to approve the agreement.

● Approved high school band camp and chaperones at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania from July 20 to July 25.