By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
The North Royalton Board of Education held their October meeting on Monday, October 13.
A presentation was given by North Royalton High School Principal, Mic Becerra, regarding the National Merit Scholarship recipients. Katelyn Einloth has been named National Merit Semifinalist for 2015. She now has an opportunity to continue competing for over 8,000 Scholarships worth more than $32 million. Klaire Roggeman and Lisa Twarog have been named Commended Students in the 2015 Program. A Letter of Commendation was presented to the two seniors.
School Superintendent, Greg Gurka, commented on Issue 10 on the November 4 ballot, saying, “We recommend that all registered voters do exercise their right to vote. We are a top-notch school district, operating at one of the lowest cost-per-pupil in the county, meaning there is no fluff in our operations. The same holds true for Issue 10. It is a bare essentials issue.”
The Committee for Royalton Schools’ Future co-chairs, Brian Rieger and Vince Weimer, addressed the Board. “I have been very impressed with the number of volunteers, parents and seniors who are out in support of our children,” said Rieger. Weimer added, “We are working hard to make sure we get the correct facts and information out there. We believe we are going to have a strong turnout this time.”
The district received two awards from the State Auditor’s office. After a clean audit report was received after a recent audit, the State Auditor’s office issued an Auditor of State Award with Distinction. The district also received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting, issued by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada, for the district’s comprehensive annual financial report. The certificate is the highest form of recognition for government accounting.
The Board approved the participation with the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County for Inter-district services for the 2014-2015 school year, on an as-needed basis.
Services include those, such as Intern School Psychologist, Teacher of Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Interpreter, Audiologist, Coalition Coordinator, Coalition Director, Gifted Education Supervisor. The Board accepted the retirement of Anita Payne, effective November 1, 2014. Payne served as the Secretary to the Superintendent. The Board also accepted the resignations of Beth Kociuba and Sheri Stafford, Classified Substitutes, effective September 27 and September 10 respectively.
The Board approved the following leaves of absence: Lori Imke from unpaid leave to paid leave, September 17, 2014 through September 23, 2014; Jessica Granger/effective September 23, 2014 (.5) through October 24, 2014; Lori Imke/effective September 24, 2014 through September 26, 2014; Kami Likovic /effective October 20, 2014 through November 28, 2014; Michelle Toth/effective October 24, 2014 through June 5, 2015; Beth Zabor/effective October 10, 2014 through January 21, 2015.
The Board approved the change of assignment for Jane Lawry from Van Driver to Van Driver with CDL/effective October 6, 2014.
The Board recognized and approved participation in the OATCCC Ohio State Indoor Track & Field Championship and authorized and approved the following individuals to act as volunteer coaches for this league: Donald Bazzo, Lisa Grayson, Michael Nary, Richard Emch, David Marhefka, Douglas Steiger.
The Board approved/amended the following appointments for Supplemental Contracts for 2014-15 school year:
Ninth Grade Boys Basketball Coach, Michael Pissini (replacing David Pellerite;
Ninth Grade Volleyball Coach, Elizabeth Robertson (replacing Jennifer Kunes)
Assistant Swimming Coach, Deanna Milliken;
Girls Basketball Coach Matthew Stricker – Assistant, Susan Welch – Ninth Grade, Lisa Sprunger – Eighth Grade.
The Board approved the following trip proposals Middle School – Grade 7 Trip to Chicago, IL (November 6-7, 2014) and the Middle School – Grade 8 Washington, DC (May 20-22, 2015.
The Board accepted the following gifts/donations:
“ • $773.00 donation to North Royalton City Schools for windscreens at Memorial Field from NR Baseball Boosters
• $400.00 donation to Royal View School for library books in memory of Rosemary Dwyer from George and Allison Dwyer
• 400 coupons for Rockne’s free kids meal to Albion School from Kevin Rose
• $1000 for Royal View classroom materials and IPad applications from Royal View PTA
• One box of books, puzzles and games to Royal View School from Gene & Becky Humes
• Palm sander, Hand saw, Delta 50-900 Series Dust collector with an extra 440-cycle motor & several hundred feet of duct work”
The next regularly scheduled board meeting will take place on Monday, November 17, 7 p.m., at the North Royalton High School Community Room.