East Liverpool BOE member Larry Walton takes highest honor | News, Sports, Jobs

EAST LIVERPOOL — East Liverpool City School District Board Member Larry Walton has been recognized as a 2021 All-Ohio School Board member, the highest honor the Ohio School Board Association gives out to individual board members.

Walton was officially presented with the award in November at a large event in Columbus which he attended with his wife. OSBA’s Northeast Regional Manager Reno Contipelli attended Tuesday’s board meeting to further honor Walton.

“He’s a gem, an institution. It just shows you what people in Columbus think of you, that you are cherished by your peers and we think the world of you,” Contipelli said. “Someday I know you won’t be sitting there but we’re going to miss you.”

Out of 19 counties and 225 schools, Contipelli said there are about 3,500 board members in Ohio with only five selected to be an All-Ohio School Board member. Walton was unanimously picked by the executive committee of Northeast Ohio region.

Walton said being presented with the award in November almost brought him to tears. “I think the ultimate value of this award is that these are my peers and they picked me,” Walton said. “The award is not only to me but to every man and woman that takes this job on.”

In other business, Board Vice President and Fawcett Foundation Designee Mario Hernandez had a big announcement. “The Fawcett Foundation received a half-million dollar anonymous donation that will directly impact our community,” Hernandez said, calling the gift a godsend from Heaven. He said the funding will increase the amount of money available in September for grants and scholarships. “It’s exciting that we have people in the community who give back,” he said. “It’s just huge. I can’t say the person’s name, but I’m very grateful that they did that for the Fawcett Foundation.”

Ohio House Bill 290 was also discussed Thursday. Dubbed the backpack bill, it was introduced in May and currently in committee. The bill would mandate that school funding follows all students to the district of their choice and could be used toward tuition, after-school care, testing fees and homeschooling supplies.

An addendum handed out at the meeting urged board members to consider a resolution to voice opposition to the bill. According to the addendum: “Public schools stand to unfairly lose funding should this bill be passed. The bill in its current format would allow any K-12 student in Ohio to take a voucher amount to any charter or private school, thus diverting pre-approved public tax dollars to private schools.”

Board Vice President Mario Hernandez also spoke up about the legislature. “In reference to House Bill 290, I think it is important that our constituents know and understand that we do not support this as a board,” he said. “I’m speaking individually as a board member that I do not support this at all.”

Superintendent Jonathan Ludwig gave his report at the meeting. He said the district’s COVID numbers were down last week in comparison to other local districts. “That’s a good thing in the ever-changing world of policies and updates we’ve had to deal with and I’m proud as our staff continues to adapt and overcome,” he said.

And last, as January wrapped up, Ludwig also took time to thank board members for their contributions to the district. January is School Board Recognition month in Ohio and is celebrated by more than 700 school districts. According to a press release from the district, the school board is responsible for an annual budget of $58 million, 2,019 students, 300 employees, five schools and 13 comprehensive career and technical programs located on campus.

“Our school board members are citizen-servants who shoulder critical responsibilities and often make difficult choices for our district, all with minimal pay,” Ludwig said. “Their focus is always on the future success of the children in our district.”

The next board meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24.