West Liberty-Salem Board of Education members received detailed updates on facility upgrades, curriculum subscriptions, staffing changes, literacy night success and budgets during their regular March meeting.  

Superintendent Kraig Hissong overviewed the pieces and designs of the Honor Alcove, sharing the color, cost and architectural features of the area of the Tiger Strong Fieldhouse that is designed to serve as a hallway of honor.  

It was clear that much care and concern was put into the choices of paint, light switches, lighting features, flooring, and ceiling tiles for this Honor Alcove.  

Initially, board members expressed anxiety regarding the mounting expenses for this area, but Hissong alleviated their fears with a surprise announcement.  

“The final cost for the Honor Alcove will be $99,500. All of this amount will be paid for by a donor,” he explained.  

While the mystery donor remained untold, the relieved board members then approved the costs with their votes of support. 

Four teachers plan to retire, but with the falling enrollment numbers, there will be no new hires to fill those positions. Lack of available homes on the housing market, the cost of homes, low birth rates, and an aging population are big reasons for declining student enrollment. 

Aaron Hollar, elementary principal, described a successful annual literacy night. Even though school was canceled earlier that day, they still offered the night reserved for literacy, and it was a huge success. Red, white, and blue was everywhere with the Olympic theme of “Read Like a Champion!”  

Elementary students not only enjoyed their special evening, but had the opportunity to participate in activities for an entire week.  

Families who attended the 7th Annual Literacy Night participated in games and interactive activities. In total for the whole week, there were 826 visitors, 657 books were given away, 130 helpers and volunteers, and an Olympic Torch bearer who is a WL-S alum. 

“We only paid $11 out of our own budget,” Hollar reported. “There were some very generous people who helped to support the event.” 

Other highlights from the meeting: 

● major purchases and capital projects for the fieldhouse and site improvements were approved, with significant portions of some costs covered by E‑Rate or grant funding; 

● new curriculum subscriptions for middle‑ and high‑school math and middle‑school science were approved; 

● accepted financial reports, donations, and tax rate resolutions for the 2026–2027 school year. 

● approved resolution renewing membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) for 2025–2026; 

● renewed all 2025–2026 winter supplemental coaching positions and approved several supplemental contracts for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years, including non‑certified appointments: Molly Perdue, events manager (spring); Dylan Lauck, head boys middle school track;  

● approved Deidre Harman to move to Master’s +15 pay scale for 2026–2027 after completing required coursework/semester hours;

● approved Susan Schuster as substitute secretary for remainder of 2025–2026 school year; 

● accepted the resignation of paraprofessional Angela Sanborn; 

● approved a full‑time gifted teacher position to be posted; 

● approved the following network infrastructure for the fieldhouse: Meraki switches and access points from WOCO — $18,827.00. E‑Rate Category 2 will reimburse ~60% ($11,296.00); remaining ~$7,531 paid from 070 project funds; Network cabling by EduTek — $46,191.00; ~60% ($27,714.00) reimbursed by E‑Rate; non‑E‑Rate eligible cabling by EduTek — $20,875.00 paid from 070 funds; 

● approved audio/clock system and scoreboards: PA speakers and clocks from Wahsega — $10,545; and two additional scoreboards from Griffen Sports — $9,582; 

● regarding the track replacement project, the board approved contracting the second lowest bidder, Current Surfaces, for a new Seal‑Flex latex track base price $138,000. Track installation paid from 070 funds. Asphalt repair/replacement to be determined after removal; 

● addendum approvals included reallocating $250,000 of 070 funds from Track Replacement to Site Improvement and increasing appropriation for Site Improvements by $250,000; 

 ● irrigation and custodial equipment: Rain Bird irrigation system for soccer field — $29,937.00 (070 Capital Improvement Funds); and custodial equipment through Powell Company — $20,529.41. BWC Safety & Security Grant will reimburse $15,397.06; district covers $5,132.35. 

● accepted donations that included multiple gifts (examples: WLS Athletic Boosters $10,000; CoJack Lumber $250; Global Crafts $50); and 

● appropriation modifications to reflect grants: OECN Public Schools Connectivity Grant (increase $174.84 revenue/expense) and BWC Safety & Security Grant (increase $15,397.06 revenue/expense). 

The next regular meeting is set for 6 p.m. April 15 in the middle school/high school media center.