Change of meeting place passed by Poland board

Staff report

POLAND

It’s a new year, and the Poland Board of Education has decided it will meet in a new place.

The board voted 4-1 at its organizational meeting Monday to have its regular business meetings in the Poland Township Government Center, 3339 Dobbins Road. In recent years, the board had rotated meetings among the district’s school buildings.

Board President Dr. Larry Dinopoulos suggested using the township building because it has a high seating capacity, microphones and a large, lighted parking lot. Dr. Dinopoulos said township trustees have agreed to waive the room rental fee.

“The biggest complaint we’ve had is that people can’t hear and can’t follow the meeting,” said board member Richard “Beau” Weaver, who voted for the change.

Board member Elinor Zedaker was the dissenting vote.

“How many of us visit our schools? It’s where we do business; it’s where our children are educated,” she said.

The board’s next business meeting is Jan. 23. Throughout the year, the board generally will follow the pattern of having a work session at 6 p.m. the third Monday of each month and its business meeting at 6 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month. The work sessions will remain at the Poland Seminary High School library.

Meeting information will be posted at PolandBulldogs.com. Principals still will present curriculum reports at the board’s business meetings.

The board also welcomed James Lavorini, who was elected in November. Lavorini was sworn in Monday along with Zedaker and Robert Shovlin, who won re-election in the fall.