MINGO JUNCTION — The Indian Creek Local School District Board of Education welcomed new and familiar educators during a special reception held Aug. 15.

Prior to the board’s regular session, more than 50 people attended the event. Superintendent T.C. Chappelear announced his excitement about the year ahead.

“We started this 10 years ago,” Chappelear began. “This year, we have 15 new teachers, and there are 135 within the district. We’re really excited about our teachers. We have a great mix with some coming for the first time and some who have worked here for a while and some who are in the middle.”

Many of the educators hired for the 2024-25 school year were in attendance, including: Camryn Bado, first grade; Hope Bullard and Carolyn Knabenshue, preschool intervention specialists; Kelcie Cottis, kindergarten; Jenna French, preschool; Lorrie Jarrett, third grade; Kristin Davies, science; Nicholas Knopf, intervention specialist; Johnna Provenzano, business; Taylor Scott, interactive media; Michele Emery, fifth grade ELA; Richard Foglia, intervention specialist; Christopher Hoover, seventh-grade social studies; and Jennifer Kleineke, preschool.

New staff members attended the reception, as well, including, Adam Lewis, assistant treasurer; Erin Alloggia, principal, Hills Elementary; Todd Herman, assistant principal, Indian Creek Middle School; and John Whortle, custodian.

Chappelear introduced administrators and board members, offering support to educators.

“I can’t say enough about my time as a teacher and administrator at Indian Creek, and I hope you find it’s a great place,” he stated.

Nicole Marshall, the district’s food service director, and Nutrition Inc. provided the appetizers and deserts for the evening.

Following the reception, the board held its monthly meeting, recognizing the Redskins baseball team for their “incredible season” and advancement to the OHSAA Baseball Championship Division II semifinals.

Officials recognized Head Coach Mike Cottis, and team coaches, Randy Cottis, Teek Mort, John Zeigler, Dave Kell, Eddie Kostecki, Jim Mort and Mitch Hukill.

Players recognized included, Ty Householder, Nick Maurer, Sal Barcalow, Stan Amis, Ian Starkey, Gavin Pownall, Logan Wedlake, Caleb Bodo, Mason Lester, Hunter Allen, Dom Degruttola, Tre Feist-Winland, Max Lane, Landon Pownall, James Brothers, Hunter Rusnak, Jayce Nett and Sylyus Hyde.

Board President Dr. Ted Starkey read a statement honoring the team, while other board members offered words of support and encouragement.

“Your run brought so much excitement to our Indian Creek community,” Starkey said. “The board believes the purpose of education is to develop the whole person. For this reason, activities that involve students beyond the classroom are an essential element of education. These activities foster the values that result from interaction and from a logical extension of the school program. You have represented Indian Creek High School in an exemplary manner and we are confident that your experiences and lessons learned along the way will serve you well throughout your life. We wish you well in your future athletic and scholastic endeavors.”

“The amount of enthusiasm you brought to the district and your community is something you’re always going to remember for the rest of your life,” commented board member Dr. John Figel.

“It was fun being at those games,” added Vice President Dan Bove. “We cheered from beginning to end.”

Mike Cottis thanked everyone for their support, including the board, community and the families who helped organize the meals as players prepared for their journey.

He praised his players, saying, “These guys carried themselves with such class.”

The board also:

• Heard concerns from resident Dale Poole regarding potentially adding mental health services on the middle school campus as part of the $6.5 million Appalachian Community Intervention Centers Program grant through the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. The grant, designed to improve public health and enhance workforce development, would develop a 14,000-square-foot, single-story building for the Jefferson County Educational Service Center’s Quest Center — a health monitoring facility in partnership with Trinity Health System to assist students and community members; and a workforce development program in conjunction with the Jefferson County Community Action Council.

Quest, based in Steubenville, offers alternative placement for students in Jefferson and Harrison counties, supporting 15-20 students per day and ensuring they receive the educational tools needed to learn. The health facility could offer an adolescent day treatment program for students and residents whop have mental health needs, and a walk-in health clinic. CHANGE Inc., would provide a walk-in mental health clinic for children and adults. The workforce development site would provide an Ohio Means Jobs access point for resume assistance and life skills training services for adults and dislocated workers. Poole said Trinity and other facilities would be more beneficial.

• Approved the purchase of two new buses from Hill International.

• Approved substitute staff, including Carley Barnes, cafeteria, custodian, secretary, and paraprofessional; Kassandra Bauer, cafeteria, secretary and paraprofessional; Kay Fenske, cafeteria and secretary; and Danielle Osz, secretary and paraprofessional.

• Approved resignations from Ashley Huber, Alisa Wolfrom, Brad Long and Tera Parrish.

• Hired on a probationary contract family medical specialist Katie Stewart.

• Assistant Superintendent John Belt announced work is to the middle school parking lot has been completed. The lot was refilled, resealed and striped as part of continuing maintenance. Similar work is being looked at for Hills and sections of the high campus. Resurfacing was set for mid-September at the Lester Carney track at Kettlewell Stadium.