The North Royalton Board of Education held their October meeting on Monday, October 14. Julie Bogden, Director of Pupil Services, and Melissa Vojta, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, gave a presentation of the school district’s report card.
The following school presentations were then made:
Albion Elementary: Fourth-grader Daniel Zozulya was recognized by the Board and Principal Vince Ketterer for his ambition and hard work to start a new weekly podcast, “Bear Podcast”, focused on Albion Elementary. “Daniel researched equipment, podcasting programs, designed the cover art and uploads each episode to various social media platforms,” according to school officials. “Daniel does all of the editing and his weekly podcast will eventually include other students and staff in the recording. . .. Daniel is a true ambassador of the Albion Way, exemplifying the core values of curiosity and creativity. The first podcast can be heard at http://bit.ly/BearPodcastOct15.
Royal View Elementary: Fourth grader Benjamin DeLaney, first grader Brynlee Gainous and Kindergartner Jay Zakel were recognized for their leadership and commitment to the school’s “Petty’s Pals” program that promotes inclusion of all students. “We strongly believe that it is important to include all students with disabilities in the general education setting, regardless of whether they have mild to moderate disabilities or severe and intensive needs,” said Principal Kirk Pavelich.
Valley Vista Elementary: Several students were recognized for exemplifying the District’s core beliefs and starring in the school’s welcome back video. “This video introduces the building’s Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports and literacy initiatives. These student leaders who have excellent behavior are Macie Reynolds, Claire Banner, Emma Groves, Joshua Groves, Alayna Valenti, Ben Kutolowski, Bryce Lapka, Quinlin Carlin, Riley Lindsey, Grace Johnson, Lexi Nosal, Emma Garnes, Chloe Michaels, Bryce Mitchell, Jason Michael Spears, Moses Kaspar, Ava Burrows, Carli Nosal, Elliot Garnes and Emerson Lapka,” according to school officials. Staff members Dana Kesselem, Amanda Velbeck and Nathan Costello also were acknowledged for the production, which can be viewed on the Valley Vista’s Facebook and website pages.
North Royalton Middle School: Eighth-grade students Maya Abdalla, Sarah Burdick, Isabella Goldner, Haylie Horba, Alexa Kaminski, Ashley Oriold, Lily Osborne, Kaitlyn Sexton and Montgomarie Williams were recognized for their daily work with their classmates with special needs; ensuring that the start of the school day is smooth and positive. “Whether they assist with getting students off the bus, or walk down to the cafeteria to purchase and eat breakfast with them, the day always starts with a lot of laughter and smiles. These kind actions carry on throughout the entire school day and makes the school environment one that makes all students feel a sense of belonging. These eighth-grade students truly exemplify the Bear Way and the expectation that we all treat others the way we want to be treated,” according to school officials.
North Royalton High School Junior, Nathan Weagraff, shared his experience of a three-week study abroad trip to South Africa with The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), a non-profit study abroad and intercultural exchange organization. “He visited Cape Town in South Africa. During his trip, he spent two weeks working with other travelers to design and build gardens at an elementary school with the objective of the school to become a self-sustaining grower of food for the students,” according to school officials.
The Board approved the Fiscal Year 2020 Five-Year Forecast and the approval to fund 467 Student Wellness and Success Fund. They also approved the following 2019-20 appropriation adjustment: 001 General Fund, from $52,970,055.42 to $53,104,555.42; 006 Food Service, from $1,036,300.00 to $1,039,100.00; 467 Student Wellness and Success Fund, a House Bill 166 Funding Allocation, $ 133,558.00; 011 Rotary Funds-Special Services, from $12,914.71 to $26,914.71; 587 IDEA Preschool Grant, from $25,663.44 to $28,807.33.
School Superintendent, Greg Gurka reported that “construction is progressing well both at the high school and the elementary school sites. At the high school, they are almost done with the steel framing and cement floors and decking. . . it’s really taking shape so you can see the design become reality, which is awesome. At the elementary school, the mechanical room and the kitchen and dining area are being put up and that will be enclosed , hopefully before the snow flies, and they will be able to install the mechanical systems during the winter months. Everything is on schedule and on budget.” He also noted that the November Board of Education meeting will take place on Monday, November 4, at the Middle School Gold Gym.
The Board approved the following agreements: Positive Education Program/Pep Assist for the purpose of providing services for the 2019-20 school year; Intelligent Mailing Solutions, Inc., for the purpose of postage meter rental at the high school, middle school and the central office, from October 15, 2019 through September 30, 2024; Playhouse Square Foundation for rehearsal and presentation of graduation exercises for the North Royalton High School Class of 2020 on Friday, May 29, 2020, at the KeyBank State Theatre; and ABA Outreach Services for a Registered Behavioral Technician for the 2019-20 school year to work with staff and students on a variety of services.
The Board accepted the following resignations and retirements:
Resignations: Lynn Harris, two-hour cleaning position, effective September 21, 2019; Kassey King, cafeteria helper/High School, effective October 16, 2019; Siobhan Kurtz, classified substitute, effective September 30, 2019; Lisa Walker, Assistant Drama Coach-Fall Play/1/2 contract/High School.
Retirement: Richard Zola, bus driver, effective January 1, 2020.
The Board approved the following appointments:
Classified Employees: Jacen Craft, Technology Specialist 1, effective October 14, 2019; Leslie Dykin, Cleaner II/Middle School, effective October 14, 2019; Raphael Piskach, Maintenance Worker; Vincent Weimer, Network and Systems Coordinator at a base salary of $55,029.
Certificated Substitute: Modify Kaitlyn Kramer start date from August 26, 2019 to August 21, 2019.
Classified Substitutes: Jeffrey Cifranic, Bus Driver; Melissa LePage, effective October 14, 2019; Joseph Rosinski, Bus Driver
The Board approved the following supplemental contracts for the 2019-20 school year, or as indicated, as needed, salary on schedule: Jonathan Dietrich, Assistant Drama Coach-Fall Play, half contract/High School; Clarence Griffin, Jr., Girls Basketball Coach/Middle School, Clarence Griffin, Jr., Intramural Worker/Middle School; Amend Dylan League from ½ contract Assistant Wrestling Coach/High School to full contract; Elizabeth Kannel, Resident Educator; Kelly Moore, STAND Advisor/High School; Gina Murphy, Problem Solvers Advisor/Middle School; Evan Schwab, Intramural Worker/Middle School; Lauren Stefancin, Girls Assistant Basketball Coach/High School; Amend Anthony Trunzo from half contract Assistant Wrestling Coach/High School to full contract.
The Board approved the following school volunteer for the 2019-20 school year or as indicated: Stephanie Weber, Swim Coach.
The Board approved a resolution authorizing a contract with R.H. Cochran and Associates for testing and balancing of the HVAC system at the North Royalton Elementary School for an amount not to exceed $37,000.
The Board approved the following extended trip proposals:
North Royalton High School Choirs, New York City (April 13-17, 2020)
North Royalton Middle School Eighth Grade, Washington, D.C. (May 6-8, 2020)
The Board accepted the following gifts/donations:
“-The 377th Engineer Company of Butler, Pennsylvania, donated school supplies, valued at $300, to Royal View Elementary.
-Esther Kendren donated a small freezer chest, valued at approximately $100, to Valley Vista Elementary.
-Fast Signs of Broadview Heights donated a finish line banner, valued at $60, to the middle school cross country team.
-Salvatore and Lia Consiglio donated $100 each to the coffee club at North Royalton Middle School and the stack club at North Royalton High School in memory of their daughter Antoinette.
-Swings-n-Things donated miniature golf passes, karts plus passes, game play passes and season passes to the PBIS program and North Royalton Middle School.
-Dairy Queen of Parma donated 50 mini golf passes and 50 small Blizzard coupons to the PBIS program at North Royalton Middle School.
-John and Patricia Nash of Broadview Heights donated $25 to a fund-raiser at North Royalton Middle School.”
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place on Monday, November 4, 7 p.m. at the North Royalton Middle School Gold Gym.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer