The West Liberty-Salem Board of Education met in regular session on Wednesday evening, approving several contracts, donations, and staff changes while setting dates for upcoming district events and meetings.
Facility and Maintenance Updates
The Board accepted the recommendation of the Superintendent and Maintenance Supervisor to approve Fran’s Mowing LLC for a three-year contract beginning November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2028, for snow removal, mowing, and fertilization.
The contract is set at a fixed rate of around $68,000 per year.
Board members also approved Change Order #3 for the ongoing Fieldhouse Project, reflecting increases above the original project specifications.
- The changes include 17 linear feet of additional millwork between the community room and the trainer’s room, up from the 8 feet originally included.
- 310 square feet of slate-look tile and 20 square feet of polished ceramic backsplash tile will also be added.
- The total cost of the change order is just shy of $14,000, bringing the new Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the project to just shy of $5 million.
Superintendent Kraig Hissong talked about the impact of both of these projects and the Board’s preparation for possible changes to the legislation surrounding property taxes.
District Trips Approved
The Board approved two upcoming student trips:
- High School Marching Band Camp: July 27–30, 2026, at Friendly Hills Camp in Zanesville, Ohio.
- Senior Class Trip: April 21–25, 2026, to New York City, New York.
Organizational and Tax Budget Meetings
Treasurer Chelsea Baldwin recommended scheduling the Organizational Meeting and Tax Budget Meeting for Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
This item will come up for official action at the November meeting.
The 15th is the last day the Board can take action to approve the Tax Budget, so the meeting will serve as a special session in January.
Donations
The district received several generous donations this month, including a major contribution from Memorial Hospital.
- Chris & Stephanie McCullough – $100.00 (HS Football Meals)
- Lions Club – $150.00 (Softball)
- Peoples Savings & Loan – $500.00 (Misc. Teacher Supplies)
- Memorial Hospital – $20,000.00 (Athletics)
- Anonymous – $2,050.00 (Golf)
- Amber Daulton – $140.00 (Golf)
- Rachael & Paul Reichart – $300.00 (Golf)
- Marc & Molly Smith – $80.00 (Golf)
- Heidi Myers – $30.00 (Golf)
- Ashley & Shana Loveless – $85.00 (Golf)
- Amy & Steven Stormes – $150.00 (Golf)
- Shamus Estep – $65.00 (Golf)
- WL Soccer Association – $350.00 (Boys Soccer)
- Anonymous – $100.00 (Boys Soccer)
- MacOChee Homemakers – $187.15 (Misc. Elementary Guidance)
The Board expressed its gratitude for the continued community support benefiting student programs and athletics.
Personnel and Staff Changes
The Board approved the hiring of Rachel Jackson as an as-needed, one-to-one paraprofessional, on a one-year contract.
The position runs for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year.
Coaching Assignments
Coaching positions for the upcoming winter sports season were also approved:
Cheerleading:
- Amy Evans – MS Cheer (Winter)
- Allison Wygal – Head Varsity Girls Cheer (Winter)
Bowling:
- Larry Searles – HS Varsity Boys Bowling
- John Stoner – HS Varsity Girls Bowling
Wrestling:
- Andy Hartshorn – Head Varsity
- Ben Griffith – Assistant Varsity
- Mike Cooper – Assistant Varsity
- Jason Dietrick – Head MS
Boys Basketball:
- Darrin Leichty – Head Varsity
- Sean King – Assistant Varsity
- Mike Louden – Assistant Varsity
- Dillon Callicoat – Freshman
- Tom Eickhoff – Head 7th Grade
- Mandy Lauck – 8th Grade
Girls Basketball:
- Dennis McIntosh – Head Varsity
- Aaron Hollar – Assistant Varsity
- Danielle Turner – Assistant Varsity
- Rylie Baldwin – 7th Grade
- Doug McIntosh – 8th Grade
Vocal Music:
Andrea Kauffman – Accompanist
The next regular meeting of the West Liberty-Salem Board of Education will take place on November 19 at 6 p.m.
