The December meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on Monday, December 10.
Athletic Director Bo Kuntz recognized fall sports athletes and coaches. Preschool Director Mike McGinnis gave a presentation recognizing the North Royalton Public Library for the monthly sensory story time program that they present for the pre-school students.
A public hearing was held on the issue of re-employing Assistant School Superintendent, James J. Presot, in the same position following his retirement which will take effect December 31. Previous School Superintendent, Jeff Lampert, addressed Board on the matter, saying that “I know it is a serious thing, when the Board considers a re-hire.” He stated that he hired Presot in 1997 and has known him for a long time. “He continues to do an excellent job for the district.” He commended the Board for contemplating the agreement. “It’s important for a district to have stability. When you have good people, we need to treat them right and take care of them.”
The Board asked Presot to return to his previous position as he has been instrumental in the school facilities project, and having him continue would allow the project to run more smoothly. The Board is expected to vote on Presot’s rehire at the January 7, 2019 School Board meeting, following the Organizational Meeting.
The Board set January 7, 2019 at 7 p.m., as the time for the Organizational Meeting at the North Royalton Board of Education Conference Room. The 2019 Tax Budget Hearing will be part of the regular January 7 meeting at 7 p.m. at the High School Community Room.
The Board approved a resolution that authorizes the Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for the High School additions and renovations to be an amount not to exceed $40,026,667.55, as proposed by Construction Manager, Hammond Construction, Incorporated.
The Board approved an agreement to enter into annual financial statement services with the State Auditor’s Local Government Services Section as of and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021 for an annual cost of $11,750.
School Superintendent Greg Gurka reported on the construction, saying that “we just approved the High School GMP (Guaranteed Maximum Price) and we will be set to go out to bid on January 7. We are still working through the final designs of the elementary school and we are going to hold a community meeting on February 26 at 7 p.m. At this meeting, this will be the annual state of the schools address, plus a state of the construction address.”
The Board approved a resolution named media representatives/outlets to the 2018 OSBA Media Honor Roll.
The Board approved an agreement with Blackboard Connect Services for mass notification services for the period, January 1 through December 31, 2019.
The Board approved an agreement with the Playhouse Square Foundation for rehearsal and graduation exercise for the North Royalton High School Class of 2019 on Friday, May 31, 2019 at the State Theatre.
The Board recognized the retirement of Math teacher Lisa Arvay and accepted the retirements of Assistant School Superintendent James Presot and Middle School Cleaner Josephine Trusso, effective January 1, 2019.
The Board approved the North Royalton Middle School Winter Sports Club trip to Holiday Valley Ski Resort, New York for Sunday, February 10, 2019.
The Board accepted and acknowledged the following gifts/donations:
“-Julianna Massimo and Jon Hall donated a Tumbler form chair, valued at $600, to North Royalton City Schools Pupil Services Department.
-Applebee’s donated 250 coupons for a kids’ meal to Royal View Elementary and 300 coupons to Valley Vista Elementary.
-Baker’s Square donated 100 kids’ meal certificates to Valley Vista Elementary.
-North Royalton High School PTA donated $100 to the STAND club at North Royalton High School.
-The Joseph family donated 50 Kiddoodle mugs for the staff at Valley Vista Elementary.
-The Royalton Hills Lions Club donated $184 towards the North Royalton Middle School eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.
-Costco Wholesale donated a $25 gift card to North Royalton Middle School for the Leadership Conference.
-The North Royalton Athletic Boosters donated equipment and uniforms valued at $20,983.87 to the athletic program at North Royalton High School.
-Jennifer Smith of Broadview Heights donated four boxes of binders valued at $75 to Royal View Elementary”
The next regular meeting will take place on January 7, directly following the Budget Meeting at 7 p.m. in the North Royalton Community Room.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer