GIRARD — Because of financial concerns the school district is facing, the Girard Board of Education has approved a reduction in force of two positions.

The cut positions, effective June 30, are an assistant athletic director and a technology assistant.

Superintendent Bryan O’Hara said the cuts were made because of financial woes the district is facing and have nothing to do with the performance of individuals. He said a reduction in force is never an easy decision, but with changes in state funding and a decline in student enrollment, a decision had to be made.

O’Hara said many school districts across the state are addressing similar financial challenges.

He said there are concerns by many school districts about property tax reductions, with possibly more reduction expected in the future. Other concerns include increased costs for school supplies and materials, including fuel for school buses.

The assistant athletic director position is an administrative reduction and the technology position is a classified staff reduction. O’Hara said this was one of two technology assistants in the district.

The affected individuals will be afforded applicable recall rights.

In other business at its meeting Thursday, the board accepted a donation of a softball scoreboard at the Girard Softball Field with a union electrical contractor to do the electrical work at no cost to the district. Treasurer Maureen Lloyd said the donation of the scoreboard and installation work is valued at $10,185.

The scoreboard donation is from National Electrical Contractors Association. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (NECA-IBEW-LMCC). She said Mazella Electric Co. LLC has agreed to donate the cost of the electrical wiring for the scoreboard.

Also at the meeting, Leah Byrne, high school nurse, said the Girard-Liberty Rotary Club each month spotlights students in each district for service and positive impact on the community with a $1,500 scholarship presented to a Girard and Liberty student each year.

In other action, the board:

* Hired Patrick Pearson as head football coach, Eric Simione as head boys soccer coach, Jennifer Gassman as head girls track coach and Jonathan Camuso as head boys golf coach.

* Accepted the retirement of Mark Mikulich as a bus driver effective May 23 with 28 years of service.

* Approved use of school facilities for Camp Invention June 29 to July 2 at Prospect Elementary.

* Approved an agreement with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley for the Success By 6 pre-kindergarten readiness program this summer.

* Approved the purchase of the Amplify Desmos Mathematics curriculum for grades 4-6 at $55,716.

* Approved an agreement with Youngstown State University for school counseling education with the district at no cost. Unpaid school counseling interns are in the district.

* Approved an agreement with Trumbull County Educational Service Center for special education programs, personnel and services at $1,077,400.

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