New Head Swim Coach Ready to Dive Into Next School Year
Barnesville’s School Board of Education appointed Danielle Anderson as the new head swim coach at Barnesville High School at Tuesday night’s monthly meeting.
Johnson retired after this past season after leading the team since 1999. Now Anderson will take on the position and led the team during the 2025-2026 school year.
During the public comment session, Amanda Hession addressed the board about the possibility of soccer teams practicing on school fields.
Hession, Barnesville Soccer Association secretary, founded the program last year along with Kyle Burkhart because there were children who wanted to play soccer in the district but no program to serve them.
The group’s first soccer summer camp saw about 50 children participate. By the first spring season beginning in March, there were more than 107 children into the program. They were split into 14 teams— four teams for each age group: three and four, five and six, seven and eight and two teams for nine to 13.
Hession shared she has a petition signed by over 60 citizens asking the board to consider letting the association use field space on school grounds. She suggested sites could include the field beside the high school, the center track field and the football or football practice fields.
Hession added she knows these spaces are often utilized by other sports and is willing to work with the school system calendar.
“The benefits of soccer are similar to all the other youth sports we have in our area,” she said, “they develop strategic thinking, teamwork, resilience and self-esteem.”
Board member Ed Eberhart asked Hession several questions including the dates of the fall and spring seasons and if the group was asking for gratis or rental space. Hession said they are open to whatever the association needs to do.
Eberhart responded that he’s hoping to discuss it with his fellow members and work with her on it.
The board also honored the high school boy’s track team on their OVAC championship win. Athletic Director Brad Hannahs recognized six members of the team present at the meeting noting this was the first time since 2000 the school claimed the OVAC track crown.
“It’s a very big accomplishment and a very big deal,” he said. “I know Coach Rogers is very excited about it.”
MAINTENANCE
Director of Transportation/Maintenance John Blattler told board members the two new buses purchased in May should be at the school in six- to eight-months.
He also reported the middle school roof project was on track Friday until the crew discovered there was a shortage of shingles. The roof was secured before storms arrived overnight, more shingles found, and work continued the next day.
DONATIONS ACCEPTED
The BOE accepted the following donation for the month of May totaling $11,200
- High school musical – Barnesville State Theater
- Elementary ice cream – The Flower Gardens and Mistie Rose E. A.
- High school track computers – Williams Corporation
- Football helmets – Barnesville 200 Club and Goaliners
- Scholarships and teacher supplies – Warfield, Toohey Family Memorial Fund
- FFFA Hoot N Holler – WesBanco
PERSONNEL
- The board approved a two-year contract to Jennifer Nippert, EMIS Coordinator effective July 1.
- The board approved Lisa Gallagher as a high school summer school instructor for the summer 2025.
- The board approved two continuing educational aide positions and a part-time cook position for Madison McLaughlin, Sarah Martin and Mindy Hall.
- The board approved of a one-year classified probationary contract as educational aides for Caitlin Wells and Ami Boroski.
- The board approved a one-year probationary contract for Chris Hannahs for middle school intervention specialist.
- The board approved four volunteers for the junior high school football team and one for volunteer assistant football coach for the coming school year for Clinton Abbott, Micah Fuchs, Josh Jones and Jeff Lucas
- The board approved seven sport supplemental contracts and non-renewed 38 contracts for work that ended with the 2024-2025 school year. Supplemental contracts were approved for Danielle Anderson as swim coach, Cade Hannahs and Zackery Meade as junior high football coaches, and the following co-assistant football coaches on the high school level – Chris Hannahs, Devin Nichols, Neal Zaccagnini and Logan Havaas.
FOOD SERVICE
Brian Saner, food service manager for The Nutrition Group, reported numbers last month were down a little because at the end of the year breakfast counts start to wind down.
He said his service is adding some new items for the program next school year, including several family and student favorites.
CONTRACTS AND PAYMENTS
- Payments approved include $302,500 to AEP for annual electric services; $54,382 to Valley Behavioral Health Services for behavioral services, and $505,737.23 to East Central Oho Educational Service Center for services in the coming year.
- Contracts were approved for The Nutrition Group for year two of a five-year contract for food services and an Orientation and Mobility Service Agreement contract with Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center for one year effective July 1.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The school board went into an executive session for 1.5 hours to consider employment, labor negotiations and security arrangements.
SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Superintendent Micah Fuchs told the board members that a hazing and bullying incident in the high school in the January-June timeframe was investigated.
NEXT MEETINGS
The Board of Education will meet in special session the main office, 210 East Church Street, at 7 a.m., Monday, June 30 to close out the books on the fiscal year.
The next regular monthly meeting will take place at the middle school cafetorium, Thursday, July 17 at 5:30 p.m.
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