ASHLAND – If there was a theme at the Ashland City Schools board of education meeting Monday, it was celebration.
Board and community members in attendance enjoyed a seasonal performance by Ashland High School’s choir and also took time to celebrate the 12-year tenure of board member Rick Ewing, who was marking his last meeting in office.
Each of the other four board members thanked Ewing for his service and praised his character and efforts.
Will Gravitt said Ewing has made an immeasurable impact on the school district.
“Over the last 12 years, your leadership has been characterized by innovative ideas, strategic thinking, and most valuably, your tireless efforts to increase the credibility and stability of Ashland City Schools,” Gravitt said. “By all measures the district has improved immensely under your care.”
Lindsey Saffle called Ewing a big part of the district’s success and thanked him and his family for sacrificing their time with him for board duty.
James Wolfe said of all the people who have come and gone from the district in 12 years, Ewing was the one whose opinion Wolfe always wanted to hear.
“What you thought about it after you processed the information, that mattered to me, and I knew that your opinion mattered in this community,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe described Ewing as a steady push in the right direction when the district was at a tipping point.
“You were the one person that never gave up. I don’t know how many iterations of building projects you went through and how many countless hours we took away from your family and your job for that, but I’ll be ever grateful, and so will every child that goes to school in this district for the next 50 years,” Wolfe said.
Ewing serves on the city’s planning commission and on the boards of Ashland Main Street and Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, and board member Bryan Lefelhoc said Ewing’s service to the community will continue in those capacities.
“I think Ashland is a better city with you in its service, and I look forward to what’s next as much as much as I’ve appreciated the things you’ve done for us so far,” Lefelhoc said.
Praise for Ewing also came from community member Tom McNaull, who wrote a statement about Ewing’s willingness to do what he believed was right, even when it was not to his advantage politically.
Tom Lavinder, a former board member and former business manager in the district as well as a former superintendent of Loudonville-Perrysville schools, said Ewing is one of the best board members he has ever worked with.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the board approved a resolution to hire VSWC Architects to design the planned remodeling projects at Taft and Edison schools. Expected to be completed in summer 2018, the remodels include new secured entry areas and renovated, accessible restrooms. The cost of the design is not to exceed $32,500.
The board also approved criteria architect fees for VSWC to design an air conditioning and boiler project for Taft at a cost not to exceed $22,500. The project is also expected to be completed over the summer.
