Class reimbursement approved

NEWTON FALLS -- The Newton Falls school district will reimburse just under $7,000 to nine faculty and staff members who took classes at area universities last year.
Before voting to approve the funds, board member Ed Ballas suggested that a change needs to be made in the faculty contract. He is concerned that faculty members can resign after the district pays for classes they took.
Last year, Kimberly Davis, who taught gifted and talented students, took six credit hours at Youngstown State University. The district covered the cost at $804.
At Monday's meeting, the board also approved her resignation, effective Aug. 23.
"It's not like in the business world, where they'll cover your tuition only if you work for them a set amount of time after you take the classes," said Superintendent David Wilson.
"We're going to make sure it comes up the next time we negotiate" said Wilson.
Others who resigned
Along with Davis, the board also accepted the resignation of Sean Voorhies, social studies teacher at the junior/senior high school.
Hired for the upcoming year were Jody Gordon Hays as a teacher of the learning disabled and Marc Semrau as vocal music teacher.
Wilson said the district still has three vacant positions that will be filled later this month.