Coventry board organizes for new year
COVENTRY — The Coventry Local Schools Board of Education organized for the new year during an organizational and regular meeting Jan. 7.
Returning board members Josh Hostetler and Laura McGraw were sworn in along with new member John Sulek. The board voted for Hostetler to serve as board president and board member Terri Pfaff to serve as vice president. Board members Dan Fouser, McGraw and Sulek were also selected to serve on the Portage Lakes Career Center Board of Education.
The board also set the regular meeting dates, which are Feb. 18, March 18, April 15, May 27, June 17, July 15, Aug. 26, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16, all at 6 p.m. in the media center at Coventry High School.
In other business, the board approved:
• McGraw to serve as the treasurer pro tempore;
• Pfaff to serve as legislative liaison;
• Hostetler to serve as alternate legislative liaison;
• Fouser to serve as student achievement liaison;
• creating a service fund for 2026 for $5,000;
• the 2026-27 school calendar;
• accepting a $400 donation from the Coventry AARP for students’ outstanding lunch balances;
• an agreement for $99,998 with Gardiner Service Co. for the high school chiller repairs; and
• the alternative tax budget.
The Coventry Local Schools Board of Education will next meet Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in the media center at Coventry High School, 1135 Portage Lakes Drive.
– Eric Poston
Springfield BOE approves advertising for bids for school buses
LAKEMORE — During the regular meeting Jan. 13, the Springfield Local Schools Board of Education approved a resolution with the Stark County Council of Governments Cooperative to advertise and receive bids for two 72-passenger conventional integrated school bus units.
Board members said the resolution will allow the board to enter into a bidding process to find better prices for the buses, and the district is not under any obligation to purchase. The district joined the Stark County Cooperative because there is not a Summit County Cooperative.
During the organizational meeting, the board elected Cynthia Frola as president and David Hofer as vice president of the board for 2026.
In other business, the board approved:
• the employment of Jada Foxx as an art teacher pending proper licensure and screenings;
• a resolution of intent to participate in the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission Expedited Local Partnership Program. According to officials, the state may help the district create a Master’s Facilities Plan. It does not obligate the district in any way, and is more of an information gathering process;
• a memorandum of understanding with Kent State University for the College Credit Plus Program for the 2026-27 school year;
• to join the newly formed Athletic League, to begin the 2027-28 school year. The league has not been named yet;
• an overnight/extended trip for the Schrop Elemtary School sixth grade class and chaperones to travel to Camp Y-Noah May 5-7. Two school days will be missed. All expenses will be paid through fundraising and by participants; and
• a memorandum of understanding with Springfield Township to establish a cooperative shared services arrangement whereby the district will provide information technology services to the township.
The board then went into executive session to review negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees, with no action taken.
The Springfield Local Schools Board of Education will next meet Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers at the Springfield Administration Building and Preschool Center, 2141 Pickle Road.
– Patricia Faulhaber