South Central Ohio ESC
Governing Board
Meetings:
The SCOESC Governing Board meets on the second Thursday of each month.
Board Members
Mr. Lowell Howard, Pres.
Mr. Howard has been involved in public education for forty five years serving his last eight years before retirement in 2015 as the ESC Superintendent. Previously, Mr. Howard served the New Boston Local Schools for thirty three years holding the superintendence for his last 22 years of tenure within the district and also served as an interim superintendent over a two-year period in three school districts needing emergency temporary services.
Mr. Howard has served on numerous civic and educational committees throughout his career in education. He has been recognized by the Ohio Department of Education and Governor’s Office for his work in Early Childhood Education.
Mr. Howard completed his undergraduate work at Ohio University in 1970 and Masters of Education in 1975 from Xavier University, holding certifications in the Superintendence, Counseling, Supervision, Principalship and Social Studies Education.
Mr. Howard and his wife, Nikki, were married in 1972 and are the proud parents of two sons, Joshua and Zachary, and have two grandsons, Jordan and Cameron.
Mr. Arnold McCoy,Vice Pres.
Mr. McCoy is a retired superintendent of the Northwest Local School District. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ohio University, a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Marshall University, and advanced graduate work in administration from Ohio University.
He began his career at South Webster High School, where he taught mathematics and science, serves as a school counselor, and as high school principal. He then worked at the Pilasco-Ross Educational Service Center before accepting a position at the Scioto County Joint Vocational School and Scioto Technical College. His next position was vice president of student services at Shawnee State Community College, where he worked until he was chosen to serve as superintendent of the Northwest Local School District.
During his 15-year tenure at Northwest, he oversaw the construction of a $20 million high school and elementary school – a highlight of his educational career. In 1990 he was voted superintendent of the year in the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA) South Central Region of the state of Ohio.
He is also a Master Mason in the Western Sun Lodge #91 and a 32nd degree Mason in the Valley of Cincinnati.
He was appointed to the South Central Ohio ESC Board in 2013, and elected in 2015.
McCoy and his wife, Wanda, are the parents of three sons -- Michael, Mitchel, and Matthew (deceased) -- and they enjoy traveling. His hobby is working on the family farm in South Webster, where they raise beef cattle.
Ms. Pat Ciraso, Member
Ms. Ciraso has been involved in public education for fifty-three years. Her last five years were served as the Southern Ohio Academy Superintendent helping at risk youth achieve their high school diploma after one year as Valley Local Schools Superintendent. Ms. Ciraso spent the majority of her career (twenty-two years) as the Superintendent of the Washington-Nile Local School District and as the Assistant Superintendent for four years prior to her promotion. She was also the Elementary Principal for eight years and a teacher for thirteen years. After her retirement, Ms. Ciraso continued to serve the public by serving on various boards. For example she has or is serving on the Children Services Board, SCOESC Business Advisory Council, Portsmouth West Alumni Association, Oldtown United Methodist Church Board (Chairperson), and Scioto County Commissioners Tax Levy Committee. Ms. Ciraso completed both her undergraduate degree and her Master of Education degree from Ohio University. Education, specifically in Scioto County, is a passion of hers and she is happy to be serving on the SCOESC Board.
Mr. Tony Dunn, Member
Dwight (Tony) A. Dunn graduated from Northern Kentucky University in 1987 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. He continued his education at Xavier University, receiving a Masters of Education in School Counseling, and later did post-graduate work in School Administration. He has worked as a classroom teacher, coach, dean of students and athletic director at Kenton County Schools; as a school counselor at Madeira City Schools, and as the Superintendent of Georgetown Exempted School District (Georgetown, Ohio) and Belpre City Schools Superintendent.He received the Buckeye Association of School Administrators’ (BASA) 2016 Warren Russell Award and the 2016 Citizen of the Year by the Belpre Youth Chamber of Commerce and he participates in in the Ohio StartTalking! Campaign to encourage parents to have open and honest communication about drugs and alcohol with their children. In 2016, Tony received the Courage Award from Ohio for ongoing efforts to combat drug addiction in Washington County, Ohio. In his free time, Mr. Dunn enjoys spending time with his wife and family. He loves motorcycles, scuba diving, hiking, travelling, and building their mountain getaway.
Mr. Lisle Dill, Member
Mr. Dill, of Oak Hill, has been a member of the South Central Ohio ESC Governing Board for more than 15 years, as a representative of the Oak Hill District, in Jackson County. Prior to his ESC board service, Mr. Dill was a member of the Oak Hill Union Local Board of Education for six years, and he was board president when the district started its new school building program.
He has a B.S. degree from The Ohio State University, Class of 1967, and he is retired after 30 years as a high school teacher. He is also a retired MSA Air Pack Technician, servicing fire department SCBA equipment around southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky for nearly 20 years, and has been an active member of the Madison Jefferson Fire Department of Oak Hill, Ohio, since it was established in 1970. He was the department chief for eight years, and trustee board president for the past 19 years.
He and his wife Joan were married in 1968, and they are the proud parents of twin daughters and six grandchildren. They will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in May 2018.
Dr. Paul Crabtree, Member
Mr. Crabtree is a retired educator from Shawnee State University where he served for 22 years in several positions, including director of counseling and assessment, assistant vice president of student affairs, interim vice president of student affairs, and vice president of student affairs.
He has a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctor of Philosophy, all from Ohio University. He was a licensed professional clinical counselor, and certifications as a national certified counselor, marriage and family therapist, and clinical counseling supervisor. He was heavily involved in research and program development at Ohio University and Shawnee State University. He started his teaching career at Valley High School, then after his Ph.D., was director of counseling at Minford High School and then to SSU until he retired. He has served on numerous university committees and inter-university councils. Dr. Crabtree has been heavily involved in community, business, educational services, and his church. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Dr. Crabtree has taught at Ohio University and Shawnee State University, and has received many awards including appointed Diplomat on the American Board of Sexology, named to the National Distinguished Service Registry: Counseling and Development, and named Administrator of the Year by the Ohio Association of Counseling and Development.
He has served on the Scioto County Board of Education, and the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center for about 30 years where he is currently board president, and has served on the Scioto County Career Technical Center board for 18 years.
Dr. Crabtree is married to his wife of more than 50 years, Carolyn. He is the father of two daughters, Paula and Suzette, and is a grandfather and great-grandfather. He loves golf, running (35 years, but walking now), reading, and traveling with wife, Carol, as time permits. His favorite pastime is spoiling grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mr. Trampas Puckett, Member
Trampas Puckett is a graduate of Portsmouth West High School, class of 1993. After graduation, Trampas became a foreman for Steeltree Construction at the age of 19. A few years later, Trampas joined The United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, (UBC) with Carpenters Local 437 working in the commercial construction industry. In 2009, Trampas was employed as a Business Representative for the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters,(IKORCC) a position he still holds. Since 2013, Trampas has also been a part time instructor at the UBC International Training Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, teaching leadership and communication skills to journeymen. Trampas also serves on the Scioto County Comunity Action Organization Board and resides as president. Trampas is a member of the WIOA Board covering Scioto, Adams, Brown, and Pike counties. Trampas is married to Jody Puckett and they have three daughters Alexandra, Caitlyn, and Macy Puckett.