MARTINS FERRY — The Martins Ferry City School District Board of Education is making plans for the upcoming school year.

Superintendent Jim Fogle will helm the district for another five years, following the board’s decision Thursday to extend his contract starting Aug. 1.

“I just want to thank the board for trusting me to continue in the role that I’m currently in,” he said. “I’ll continue to try and improve all aspects of education for our students and try to continue on with everything that we built thus far. It’s much-appreciated.”

Fogle’s pay will remain the same.

“We’re going to continue providing as many educational programs as possible for our students, and to continue that in a safe learning environment,” he said.

The board also approved the creation of a full-time special education coordinator position. The post will be advertised.

“We’ve always had a special ed coordinator, but he or she has been part-time,” Fogle said. “We’re making it a full-time position.”

Sean Zeakes is the current part-time coordinator.

“The demand to have someone in that role has increased over the years tremendously. There’s a lot of paperwork, a lot of meetings, and the requirements have drastically changed over the years,” Fogle said. “It’s making sure our students are provided with the levels of support they need to succeed. This person will oversee that, to make sure that they get what is needed.”

Fogle said the pay would be determined pending qualification of candidates. It will be a 260-day contract.

The goal is to fill the position by the start of the school year.

“We’ll publicize that immediately and get that out there in hopes to attract qualified candidates for the position,” he said.

Fogle did not have exact numbers at hand, but said the district currently has numerous students identified as special education with various needs.

“There’s really no common thing. There is a wide variety,” Fogle said.

Also the project of resurfacing of the district track will be bid out for the next two weeks.

“We’re hoping to attract as many potential contractors as we can for that type of work,” Fogle said. “We’ll open the bids Aug. 9 at 9 a.m.”

Fogle said he doubted work on the track will be finished by the start of school.

“That’ll be up to the contractors and how they’ll be able to fit us into their schedule,” he said.

The next board meeting will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 10.

The school year will begin Aug. 23 and Aug. 24 with in-service days for teachers. Students will return to school Aug. 25.