lly accepted the resignation of longtime Athletic Director Dave Smercansky during its January meeting, held on Monday night at Center Middle School. Smercansky stepped down, effective Dec. 31, 2013.
      Earlier this year, Smercansky took a leave of absence and was replaced in interim director, Denise Gorski.
      At its January meeting, the school board approved Gorski as athletic director, granting her a three year contract.
      Smercansky served the Boardman Local Schools as an Economics and Global Issues teacher, head baseball coach, and then athletic director. He served in the AD’s post since July, 2002.
      In seven seasons at the helm of Boardman baseball fortunes, his teams was four Steel Valley Conference titles (1989,1990,1992 and 1995), and in 1991 was state runner-up.
      Gorski retired as a teacher in the Boardman Local Schools last year, ending a 30-year career in the classroom. She continues as Boardman’s head girls track coach, where she is one of the most widely-respected prep track and field coaches in Ohio.
      During her tenure as track and field coach, her teams qualified athletes to the state meet 22 years, including a pair of Ohio champs in distance runner Laurie Gomez-Henes, and high-jumper Amber Bland.
      She is a recipient of the Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Ed Barker Award, the highest honor that can be given by the association.
      In other personnel matters, the school board accepted the following resignations at its January meeting:
      Melissa Loew, Market St. second grade teacher; Fran Buckley, bus driver; Gina Cucitrone, West Blvd. Elementary School teacher aide; and Laura Pfahler, Crier (high school yearbook) business manager.
      A first-year leave of absence was granted to Mrs. Stacey Hunter, effective Jan. 27 through Mar. 28.
      Appointments approved by the board included: Audrey Allen, teacher aide at Boardman High School; Cort Beight, night custodian at Glenwood Middle School; Candace Greene, secretary at Center Middle School; Patricia Harris, school bus aide to accommodate students attending Pace Alternative School.
      Given off-staff supplemental contracts were Katelyn DeLadurantey and Joe Lamping, high school speech assistants.Approved as volunteer coaches for high school indoor track and field were Dayna Daltorio, Gorski, Stacey Hunter, John Phillips Jr., Whitney Resch, Richard Sypert, John Pallini and John Phillips Sr.
      The following stipends were awarded: Nicholas Opritza, for time spent working on the Choral Music Madrigal dinner, $100; Moris Jadue and Mary Beth Shobel, $67.50 each; and Wendy Crist, $30, for time spent working on the winter choral concert.
      Approved as on-line elective instructors for the second semester were Alyssa Birch and James Cliff, art appreciation; Shana Craig-Yardas, employability skills; and Ryan Stowell, music appreciation
      The on-line instructors will be paid at a rate of $50 per student, with a cap of 45 students.