Regular Meeting Poland Board of Education held September 24, 2018 

 

The regular meeting of the Poland Board of Education was held on Monday, September 24, 2018 
at 6:00 p.m. at the Poland Seminary High School Auditorium. 

 

President, Mrs. Zedaker called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 

 

Pledge of Allegiance 

 

Members present for roll call and answering their names were Dr. Dinopoulos, Mr. Lavorini, Mr. 
Riddle, Mr. Shovlin and Mrs. Zedaker. 

 

Approval of Minutes – Resolution #2018-213 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Riddle seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the minutes of: 

Regular Board Meeting of August 27, 2018 

 

Acceptance of Treasurer’s Report – Resolution #2018-214 

 Mr. Shovlin moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to accept for 
audit the finance report for August 2018 as submitted by the Treasurer. 

 

Presentation of ODE Report Cards by Building Principals – Resolution #2018-215 

 

 Kevin Snyder, Poland Seminary High School 
 David Purins & Lisa Iberis, Poland Middle School and McKinley Elementary 
 Michael Daley – Dobbins Elementary 
 Michael Masucci – Union Elementary 
 Karen Kanotz – Director of Student Services 


 

Recognition of Poland Schools Foundation Honorees – Resolution #2018-216 

 Mr. Shovlin moved and Mr. Riddle seconded with Mr. Lavorini and Mrs. Zedaker voting 
aye to pass a resolution commending the following honorees being recognized by the Poland 
Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence at the Foundation’s 26th Annual Banquet to be 
held on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at The Embassy. Dr. Dinopoulos abstained. 

 

Dr. Larry Dinopoulos: 2018 Alumnus of the Year 

 

Dr. Larry Dinopoulos is a lifelong Poland resident graduating from Poland Seminary High School 
in 1981 as class salutatorian. He went on to Case Western Reserve University in its 6 year Dental 
program and received his bachelor’s degree in 1985 and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 
1987 finishing 2nd in his class. He received the International College of Dentistry Outstanding 
Achievement Award, the Academy of Operative Dentistry Honors Award as well as election to 
the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Society upon his graduation. 

 

Following graduation, Dr. Dinopoulos started a Family Dental practice in Poland in what is now 
the Chase Bank Building. He has been practicing general dentistry for the last 31 years. He is a 


member of the Corydon Palmer Dental Society where has served as a trustee, the Ohio Dental 
Association as well as the American Dental Association. 

 

Dr. Dinopoulos has served as trustee for both the Poland Boosters Club as well as the Poland 
Community Baseball Association serving as its president for 4 years. He has been involved in 
volunteer coaching for both youth baseball, basketball as well as flag football. For the last 9 years 
he has served on the Poland Board of Education serving as both its President and Vice President 
over that time. 

 

Larry is the proud son of Jim and Robalee Dinopoulos also lifelong Poland residents. He has been 
married to his lovely wife Louise for 30 years. They have 2 Poland graduates, sons Mitchell 2012 
and Cameron 2013, and a daughter Brooke 2020. 

 

Patrick Williams: 2018 Educator of the Year 

 

Patrick Williams was born in Boardman and moved to Poland when he was nine years old. He 
graduated from Poland Seminary High School in 1992 and in 1993 he was hired as a student 
custodian at Poland Middle School. He worked there for five years until he graduated from 
Youngstown State University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education degree in 
1998. That summer, he was hired to teach Math, Science, and English at Poland Middle School. 
In 2003, he was instrumental in creating the first Technology program in the district and began 
helping teachers incorporate technology in their classrooms. 

 

Throughout his time at Poland Middle School, he developed a successful Robotics program and 
his students won multiple awards at the local robotics competitions. He has coached volleyball, 
basketball, and track and is currently a statistician and Booster for the Poland Girls Basketball 
program. He is also the district Webmaster and Digital Media Specialist. 

 

In 2001, he received his Master of Education Degree in Curriculum Instruction from Ashland 
University and in 2018 received his Computer / Technology Endorsement (K-12) through Kent 
State University. He obtained his National Board Certification in 2002, was an Ohio Master 
Teacher, Ohio LEAD Teacher, and has been a teacher mentor throughout his career. He was the 
Poland Education Association Treasurer from 2004 until 2013, and the Poland Education 
Association Vice President for one year. In 2014, he received the Poland Education Association 
Educator of the Year Award. 

 

In 2016, he moved from Poland Middle School to Poland Seminary High School and revamped 
the technology program, creating such classes as Multimedia, Sports Media, Broadcasting, Web 
Design, Video Production, Graphic Design, and this year he brought AP Computer Science 
Principles to the district. He and his students create content and are responsible for the operation 
of the video board at Poland Stadium for all home football games, soccer matches, and track meets 
- as well as create content for the website, digital announce board, and the closed circuit TV’s at 
the high school. In 2016, he also helped bring a K-4 technology / computer class to the elementary 
schools and this past school year he helped develop a 5-8 technology program to bridge the gap 
between the elementary and high school technology programs. 

 


Patrick resides in Poland with his wife Missy and their two dogs, Stormageddon and Oliver Queen 
(Puppy Supreme). In his free time, he enjoys playing video games, reading, watching TV / movies, 
listening to music and podcasts, walking his dogs, cooking, and exercising. He and his wife are 
huge Star Wars, superhero, and Pittsburgh Penguins fans. They travel to Disney World as much 
as they can and hope to one day retire and work in the parks! 

 

Candy Fonagy: 2018 Staff Member of the Year 

 

A native of Hamburg, New York, Candy Fonagy was very active in school activities as a member 
and officer of many organizations, including student council, editor of the newspaper, timekeeper 
for sports, performing in every play and musical and was the first voice her classmates heard in 
the morning and last in the afternoon as PA announcer. 

 

This despite often crippling bouts of rheumatoid arthritis. It was not unusual for her to use a cane 
or crutches throughout her high school career, but that never dampened her enthusiasm for school! 
She is a summa cum laude graduate of Hilbert College with an AAS in Business and was, proudly, 
the first member in her family’s history to earn an advanced degree. At both her High School and 
College Commencement Ceremonies, Candy was recognized as the Outstanding Female Graduate 
for her participation and leadership throughout her career in each school. 

 

As the bookkeeper and then Treasurer of a water utility, she first came to the Valley for a meeting 
in 1978 never imagining this would soon become her home. In 1979 at another meeting, this time 
in Portland, Maine, she met Bill Fonagy. A year later they married and she moved to Ohio. In 
1989, as their children - Kristofer and Tiffany started school, the family settled in Poland 
specifically because of the quality of the Poland Schools. 

 

Eager to meet people, she joined PTA at North Elementary, volunteered in the library, at lunch 
time and recess with the incomparable Principal Carmella Smallhoover. Serving two terms as 
PTA President, then PTA Council President, she also chaired two levies for the Board of Education 
and served on the Poland Schools Foundation for Educational Excellence for 6 years as 
Secretary. In June of 1997, with a hearty shove from now 5th grade Math teacher-Debbie Patsko, 
she applied for and was hired as the attendance secretary at PSHS. 

 

Accustomed to volunteering, she became an active Band Parent and lent her theatrical skills 
(costumes, props, make-up) to then Poland Players Director, Joan Schmitzer, who announced her 
resignation three years later. On the last day of the second posting for the now vacant position, 
Candy told Principal Brian Wolf she would like to be considered for the position because “this 
program just cannot end”. Without hesitation, Mr. Wolf called Superintendent Robert Zorn with 
news that the “new Drama Director had been found”. 

 

Now the financial secretary at PSHS, Candy is in rehearsals of her 35th production as Director of 
her beloved Poland Players. Bill is happily retired, enjoying golf and officiating softball, baseball 
and volleyball. Kristofer, lives in Columbus, working for Apple, while Tiffany, a Certified 
Athletic Trainer, teaches Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at Trumbull Career and Technical 
Center. Ask Candy and she will tell you that she is more certain than ever that living in Poland and 
working at PSHS is “exactly where she belongs”. 


 

Approval of FY19 Appropriations – Resolution #2018-217 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the permanent appropriations totaling $22,389,366.27 for FY 2019, as submitted. 

 

Public Comments - None 

 

Commend Exceptional Staff and Students – Resolution #2018-218 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to 
commend the following staff and students for exceptional achievement and honors. 

 

 2018 Homecoming Court 

 Stephen Bannon Sarah Bury 

 Maguire Franko Isabella Hoffmaster 

 Luke Lankitus Olivia Barrett 

 Nicholas Lattanzio Lauren Sienkiewicz 

 Jacob Snyder Sophia Thompson 

 

 2019 National Merit Scholarship Program 

 Senior – Samuel Delatore 

 Senior – Jacob Snyder 

 

Approval of CCESC Agreement for FY19 – Resolution #2018-219 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
a service agreement with Columbiana County Educational Service Center Governing Board for 
Preschool Itinerant Services for FY19. 

 

Approval of Pre-Bond Assistance Agreement – Resolution #2018-220 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to approve 

the Pre-Bond Issue Assistance Agreement for Poland School District with MS Consultants, Inc. 

 

Authorization of Fund Transfer to Speech and Debate – Resolution #2018-221 

 Mr. Shovlin moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to authorize 
the Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $5000.00 for the 2018-2019 Speech and Debate 
Team to cover registration expenses and membership fees for Poland High School Speech and 
Debate Team members, cost incurred for transportation expenses for overnight travel, national 
tournament expenses, and research and completion materials. 

 

Authorization of Fund Transfer to Academic Challenge – Resolution #2018-222 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to 
authorize the Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $500.00 for the 2018-2019 Academic 
Challenge Team to cover registration expenses and membership fees for Poland High School 
Academic Challenge Team members, cost incurred for transportation expenses for overnight 
travel, tournament expenses, and research and completion materials. 

 

 


Authorization of Fund Transfer to PSHS Robotics – Resolution #2018-223 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Shovlin seconded with all members voting aye to authorize 
the Treasurer to transfer funds in the amount of $1000.00 for the 2018-2019 Robotics Team to 
cover registration expenses and membership fees for Poland High School Robotics Team 
members, cost incurred for transportation expenses for overnight travel, tournament expenses, and 
research and completion materials. 

 

Acceptance of Donation – Resolution #2018-224 

 Mr. Shovlin moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to accept the 
following donation: 

 Mr. David Izzo – $180.00 Donation for LaGazzetta Italiana Monthly Magazine 
Subscription to Poland Seminary High School Italian Club 


 

Approval of PSHS Interact Club – Resolution #2018-225 

 Mr. Riddle moved and Mr. Shovlin seconded with all members voting aye to approve the 
Inaugural Poland Seminary High School Interact Club. Funding for advisor will be paid 
by the Poland Rotary Club. Sign-ups will begin immediately to determine the viability of 
implementing this club. 

 

Approval of Certified Resignations – Resolution #2018-226 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the following certified resignation: 

 William M. Hegarty - Intervention Specialist, effective October 26, 2018. 


 

Approval of FMLA – Resolution #2018-227 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to approve 

Laura Hugenberg-Spey, FMLA leave as of September 25, 2018 for approximately two (2) to four 
(4) weeks according to PEA Contract Article 4.91. 

 

Approval of Classified Personnel – Resolution #2018-228 

 Mr. Shovlin moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the following classified personnel for the 2018-2019 school year. 

 Robin Brothers – 2 hour Bus Driver – effective beginning of FY19 
 Michael Burns – 2 hour Bus Driver - effective 9/10/2018 
 Mark Patsko – 5 hour Porter – effective 9/17/2018 
 Robert Ramsbottom – from Porter to Sweeper Cleaner – effective 9/10/2018 


 

Approval of Non-Teaching Substitutes – Resolution #2018-229 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the following non-teaching personnel be placed on the approved substitute list for the 2018-2019 
school year, substitute basis only, according to wage rate for the assignment designated; all 
required reports are on file: 

 Jordan Varkonda – Substitute Lawn Crew/Porter/Custodial-effective 9/1/2018 
 Michael Masucci – Substitute Porter – effective 9/1/2018 
 Jaden Karr – Substitute Bus Aide – effective 9/11/2018 
 Diane M. Rice – Substitute Nurse – effective 9/1/2018 



 

Acceptance of FY19 Student Activity Purpose Statements – Resolution #2018-230 

 Dr. Dinopoulos moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to accept 
the purpose-policy statements for student activity funds for the 2018-2019 school year as submitted 
by the building principals. 

 

Approval of FY19 District Testing Schedule – Resolution #2018-231 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the District Testing Schedule for the 2018-2019 school year. This schedule includes the new 
(mandated) Whole Grade Testing for Gifted. 

 

Approval of FY19 Parental Transportation In Lieu of Contracts - Resolution #2018-232 

 Mr. Shovlin moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye to approve a 
resolution to award parental transportation contracts to parents or guardians of eligible students 
for the 2018-2019 school year. The state approved reimbursement rate in Lieu of Transportation 
is awarded according to section 3327.01 of the Revised Code for transportation to nonpublic 
schools outside the district when impractical to transport by regular fleet service. Payment will 
be issued at the end of the school year providing all appropriate documentation and criteria has 
been met. 

 Heartland Christian – 5 students 
 Montessori School of Mahoning Valley – 12 students 
 St. Charles School – 1 student 
 Valley Christian School – 1 student 
 ACLD – 2 students 
 The Lewis Center for Gifted Learning – 4 students 




 

Authorization of Partnership - Ohio School Facilities Commission – Resolution #2018-233 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye authorizing 
the Poland School Board of Education to enter into a resolution of acceptance in the Ohio School 
Facilities Commission Classroom Facilities Assistance Program-Segment One. The Conditional 
Approval as granted by the Commission for Classroom Facilities-Segment One project be hereby 
accepted in accordance with the provisions of ORC Section 3318.05. 

 

Approval of Policy Final Reading – Resolution #2018-234 

 Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting aye to approve 
the second and final reading of the Board of Education Policy updates as submitted. The policy 
updates were completed using the services of NEOLA and will be available online. 

 Policy 5200 – Attendance Revised 


 

Information Items – None 

 

Reports/Presentations 

Foundation – Mrs. Zedaker explained that tickets are still available for the Annual 
Banquet which is quickly approaching to recognize this year’s honorees on October 16, 
2018 at the Embassy. 

 


Legislation – Mr. Riddle reported elections in the State House are approaching and 
changes are likely coming. 

 

At 7:58 p.m., Mr. Lavorini moved and Dr. Dinopoulos seconded with all members voting 
aye to enter into Executive Session to discuss PEA negotiations. 

 

Reconvene and Adjournment – Resolution #2018-235 

 At 8:35 p.m., Mr. Shovlin moved and Mr. Lavorini seconded with all members voting aye 
to reconvene and adjourn the meeting. 

 

Meeting Adjourned. 

 

 

 

 

_______________________________ ___________________________________ 

Treasurer President 

 

 

 

9/24/2018