GALLIPOLIS — Twelve students from the Gallia County Local School District were honored Monday evening as the Board of Education paid tribute to the Students of the Quarter during its regular meeting.

Board president Terry Halley presented certificates celebrating the accomplishment to Hannah Johnson and Baylee Browning from Addaville Elementary School, Olivia Johnson and Brooke Campbell from Hannan Trace Elementary School, Tristan Janey and Shaniah Thomas from Southwestern Elementary School, Alexis Thomas and Clayton Russell from Vinton Elementary School, Jessica Sanders from River Valley Middle School, Sara Bailey from South Gallia Middle School, Timothy Hersman from River Valley High School and Christina Howell from South Gallia High School.

Superintendent Charla Evans said the Students of the Quarter program has been in place for eight years and gives the district the opportunity to showcase students who are good citizens and who pursue academic excellence.

Evans reflected on her own experience as a student and the positive impact that her parents were in her life. She then praised the parents in attendance for making that same type of impact on their own children.

“You parents are your children’s first teachers,” Evans said. “You teach them right from wrong and hold them accountable before they ever come to school.”

She also said that Gallia County residents do a good job supporting youth in the area.

“People in our county are truly devoted to children, whether it’s the fair, 4-H, church or other activities,” she said. “Those investments will pay dividends for the rest of their lives. Parents, we thank you for all that you do. And, students, we respect you and what you have accomplished.”

Evans reported to the board that the Gallipolis Elks Lodge made a donation to the district to support the libraries at River Valley and South Gallia middle schools. Additionally, the Gallipolis Rotary Club made a donation to support the libraries at River Valley and South Gallia high schools. She said the Rotary Club also purchased dictionaries for fifth-grade students in the district.

The board voted to grant a supplemental contract to Sarah Evans Moore to serve as a volunteer assistant junior high boys basketball coach at River Valley. The contract period is in effect now through June 30, 2010.

The board voted to employ the following individuals as substitutes:

• Bus driver: Charles Hollanbaugh

• Cook: Josette Tirpak

• Teacher: Lora Jenkins, Mark Haner, Leah Rutherford

The board also voted to accept the following donations:

• $200.00 from Holzer Clinic/Dr. Kelly Roush for the athletic department at South Gallia High School

• $300.00 from American Electric Power (AEP) for the National Honor Society at River Valley High School

• $300.00 from AEP for the freshman class at River Valley High School

• $6,043.47 from AEP for the district’s Academic Festival

• $2,158.00 from the Talented and Gifted (TAG) Parent Group for TAG Center computers

The board approved the TAG student trip to New York City, N.Y., March 27-30, 2010. The trip will be made at no cost to the board.

The board also approved amending a previous motion and deleted Brea McClung’s name as junior class advisor at River Valley H.S.

The board approved membership in the Coalition of Rural and Appalachian Schools for 2009-2010 academic year. The annual fee is $300.00.