Austintown board approves yearbook contract, transportation resolution and MOU; honors retirees

The Austintown Local School District Board of Education on Nov. 20 approved a series of routine consent items and contracts, adopted a resolution finding student transportation impractical in certain cases, and recognized district retirees and community donors.

The board unanimously approved an exclusive yearbook contract naming Jostens as the yearbook provider for Fitch High School for the 2026–27 through 2028–29 school years. The board also approved a contractual agreement for internet application services as presented.

The board adopted a resolution described in the meeting transcript as declaring transportation impractical for certain identified students "pursuant to the requirements of the Ohio Revised Code 33 27 and the procedures set forth by the Ohio Department of Education." The resolution, according to the superintendent’s presentation, followed "careful evaluation of all other available options prior to consideration of impracticality." The transcript does not include the specific student cases or geographic details that led to the finding.

Trustees also approved a memorandum of understanding between the Austintown Local School District board and the Austintown Education Association as presented in the meeting packet. The transcript includes garbled text after the association name (rendered in the record as "o e a n e a"); the board vote approved the MOU by consent.

The board readopted, revised or replaced a set of board policies as recommended by the superintendent and set its next public meeting for Dec. 17, 2025, with a 4 p.m. work session at the board offices and a 5 p.m. regular session at the middle school.

Superintendent remarks at the meeting highlighted retirements recorded in the agenda. "If you add it up that's over 120 years of service," the superintendent said, noting one retiree in attendance, Loreen Grishow, who the superintendent identified as having 25 years of service in special education. Principal Robin Bickers delivered a principal’s report summarizing school activities, including elementary and building events, Veterans Day assemblies, a PTA book fair, AMS events such as a Dec. 3 spelling bee and upcoming winter concerts, and high school parent–teacher conferences and a CCP meeting.

The district acknowledged community donations: the Austintown Eagles donated $4,000 and Operation Keepsake donated $500 to support district programs, according to the superintendent’s remarks. Board members offered holiday wishes and encouraged community attendance at upcoming performances and sporting events.

All motions reported in the meeting transcript were moved, seconded and approved by roll call with all members present voting in the affirmative. The meeting adjourned after final motions to close, with the board confirming the Dec. 17 meeting date before adjourning.

The board packet or meeting minutes should be consulted for full text of contracts, the MOU, the transportation resolution and the list of retirees; the transcript records approvals and high-level descriptions but does not publish full contract text or the detailed transportation determinations.