Struthers

WHAT: Jan. 12 Board of Education meeting

PRESENT: Joe Fuline, Walter Baber, Kristin Fox and Robert Noble

The board:

• Heard from parent Lindsay Caldwell about the district’s hairstyle policy. She said her son, Zachariah, was informed Jan. 5 that his hairstyle violated school policy and that he would be suspended if it was not cut. She said Zachariah has worn the same hairstyle for more than three years at Struthers Middle School without issue and that the style reflects his Sub-Saharan African heritage, which he is proud of.

Caldwell argued that disciplining him for this amounts to cultural and racial discrimination and cited the CROWN Act, which prohibits discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles associated with race. She also referenced a 2022 case in which the district revised its policy to allow one unnatural hair color after a parent raised concerns about self-expression.

Caldwell asked the board to similarly update its policy to allow students to wear hairstyles that reflect their natural heritage, so no student is penalized for culturally significant hair. The board said they will take the matter under consideration.

• Acknowledged Struthers Middle School spelling bee champ Ella Mercer and the accomplishments of the middle school robotics team IV.

• Approved the Ohio Emergency Management Agency grant agreement for the Fiscal Year 2023 local cybersecurity grant program.

• Approved the Tremco-Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. proposal for the roof restoration of Struthers High School at a cost of $505,328.62.

• Approved the OSBA service agreement for the purpose of providing a customized workshop on Feb. 9.

• Approved replacement of the Struthers Elementary School roof section 7 at a cost of $189,111.19 using the contract that was bid through the Ohio Schools Council.

• Approve the creation of an activity fund account for Struthers High School wrestling.

• Approved donations to the elementary school from Dollar Tree for socks, scarves, earmuffs, toys and Christmas decorations.

• Approved placing a 6.9-mill renewal levy on the ballot.

• Appointed Kayla Kusky to seven-hour cafeteria tech at the middle school at $21,198.

• Accepted the resignation of Ron Barthlolomew as head soccer coach.

• Approved a memorandum of understanding with Youngstown State University as a partner school with the district.

• Recognized the following district support organizations: 6th Man Club, Gridiron Club, Band Boosters, Lady Cats Softball Boosters Club, Bowling Boosters and Struthers Elementary School PTO Diamond Club.

• Susan Wojnar

Girard

WHAT: Board of Education organizational meeting Wednesday

PRESENT: Vincent Ragozine, Joseph Castor, Tammy King, Scott Strain and Zachary Steiner

The board:

• Named Ragozine as board president and Castor as vice president.

• Approved committee appointments: Castor and Steiner to athletics / activities council; Steiner and Ragozine to curriculum; Strain and Castor to facilities; Ragozine and King to labor relations; King and Strain to safety; Castor to recognition committee; King and Ragozine as legislative liaisons; and Sue Ellen Harris Davis as representative to the Trumbull Career & Technical Center board with Steiner as backup.

• Employed Dr. Paul Rich of Comprehensive Physicians Associates LLC as school physician for one year at $4,000.

• Approved the Ohio School Boards Association contract for legal assistance fund of $250.

• Set meetings for 5 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month except June, November and December.

• Bob Coupland

Weathersfield

WHAT: Board of Education organizational meeting Wednesday

PRESENT: Mark Bodo, Cheryl Basista, Josh Garris, Sam Caputo and Tim Gleason

The board:

• Named Bodo as president and Basista as vice president.

• Approved Bodo as delegate to the Ohio School Boards Association conference with Basista as alternate.

• Approved Basista as representative to the Trumbull Career & Technical Center board.

• Approved Garris as legislative liaison, Caputo as student achievement liaison and Bodo as township trustee liaison.

• Set meetings for 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month, except June 26.

• Bob Coupland