Canfield board approves routine business, personnel moves and policy amendments; special meeting set for May 30

The Canfield Local Schools Board of Education approved a series of routine agenda items and personnel recommendations at its regular meeting on May 14 and set a tentative special meeting for noon May 30 to finalize year-end financials and ratify negotiated contracts.

Board members voted unanimously on a package of administrative items that included approval of the April 9 minutes and the treasurer’s reports for March. Treasurer Miss Prince told the board the general fund balance improved after five real estate tax advances; the district recorded a payment of $38,000 to Bridal Construction for softball field drainage and earned roughly $80,000 in investment interest during the month.

The board approved personnel actions including multiple resignations and hires and transfers effective for the 2025–26 year; the board also approved nonunion contract renewals listed in the enclosure (resolution 158-2025). New hires reported in the meeting included Bonnie Nissos as a Hilltop grade 3 teacher at $42,001.76 for 2025–26 and a sound and lighting technician, Jason Vuksanovich, at $18 per hour as needed. The board approved the Canfield High School class of 2025 pending completion of course requirements; the superintendent said 65 students were on the graduation docket.

Other approvals included class fees for 2025–26 (no significant change from the prior year), several out-of-state overnight student trips (Exhibit 8) and a contract between Canfield Local Schools and the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Exhibit 9). The board also adopted policy changes on second reading (Exhibit 11) and voted to amend board policy 2111 on parent and family engagement to add a non-disfavoring clause directed at how the district treats parents with economic disadvantage, limited English proficiency, limited literacy or minority backgrounds; the board discussed that language as advice from legal counsel responding to DEI-related requirements.

The board approved resolution 157-2025 to authorize payment in lieu of transportation for the 2025–26 school year and accepted cash donations totaling $21,148.94 for May, including a $10,000 gift from the Senefani Charitable Foundation for high school scholarships and $5,995 to purchase a baritone saxophone. Members then entered executive session to discuss negotiations and personnel matters and returned to open session at 7:51 p.m. with no further action taken. The meeting adjourned after that session.

Votes at a glance: - Approval of April 9, 2025 minutes — outcome: approved (roll call: Dr. Alquist: yes; Mr. Campbell: yes; Mrs. DeCaprio: yes; Mr. DeMilo: yes; Mr. Atway: yes). Mover: not specified; second: Doctor Alquist. - Treasurer’s reports (March) — outcome: approved (unanimous). Treasurer reported approx. $80,000 interest earned and a $38,000 payment to Bridal Construction for field drainage. - Personnel resignations, hirings and transfers (items a–j; includes resolution 158-2025 for supervisors/nonunion contracts) — outcome: approved (unanimous). New hires include Bonnie Nissos (Hilltop Grade 3, $42,001.76) and Jason Vuksanovich (sound/lighting tech, $18/hr). - Approval of Canfield High School class of 2025 (pending completion of requirements; 65 students listed) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Class fees for 2025–26 (Exhibit 7) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Out-of-state overnight field trips (Exhibit 8: girls basketball to Cedar Point Sports Center June 13–14; girls high school basketball to Sherryville June 18–20; middle school girls basketball June 20–25; varsity volleyball to Penn State July 18–20; varsity football to Walsh University July 20–22) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Contract with Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Exhibit 9) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Amendment to board policy 2111 (parent and family engagement) to add non-disfavoring language — outcome: approved (unanimous). Board noted the amendment was provided by the district attorney responding to DEI-related guidance. - Adoption of policies on second reading (Exhibit 11) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Resolution 157-2025 (payment in lieu of transportation for 2025–26) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Acceptance of donations for May 2025 totaling $21,148.94 (major gifts: $10,000 Senefani Charitable Foundation for scholarships; $5,995 for baritone saxophone; multiple smaller gifts to art show and scholarships) — outcome: approved (unanimous). - Motion to enter executive session to discuss negotiations and employee appointment/employment/compensation — outcome: approved (unanimous); board returned at 7:51 p.m. with no action taken. - Motion to adjourn — outcome: approved (unanimous).

The board set a tentative special meeting for noon on May 30 to approve final financials required before June 1 and to consider ratifying the CEA/EA contract ratifications and other pending items.