POLAND | School board

The Poland Board of Education handled these matters during its meeting Monday:
Accepted the retirement of Susan Sause, Poland Middle School principal, who has been with the district 17 years. The retirement is effective at the end of this school year. The board hired Mark Covell on a two-year contract to replace Sause. Covell is assistant principal at Poland Seminary High School. The board is looking to hire a principal at the high school and extended its search deadline to March 9. The board will also look to replace Covell's post as assistant principal.
Accepted the retirement of Betty Serich, elementary reading specialist, effective at the end of the year. Serich worked 38 years in Poland schools.
Hired Margaret Cherol part time on an as-needed basis as board of education office secretary, effective Thursday. Cherol will be one of three secretaries serving the board, and members say the additional help is needed during busy times.
Heard board member Frank DiVito question why the district frequently hires outside help to unclog drains in schools. He said the district has spent 25,000- 35,000 in the last year for this and questioned whether it would be more cost-effective to train and provide the right tools for janitors to do the work. Superintendent Dr. Robert Zorn said the board would explore janitors' union contracts to see if this duty is included. If not, board president Britt Greene suggested the board bid out the project or get estimates.
Approved a vocational, career-based course at the high school for at-risk students, to be administered by Mahoning County Career and Technical Center.
Approved these coaching positions for spring: Jon Habuda, volunteer boys baseball coach; Ryan Williams, head ninth-grade boys baseball coach; Dom Deluca, volunteer softball coach; Nick Olesko Sr., volunteer softball coach; Don Smaltz and Drew Frum, volunteer track coaches.