The North Royalton Board of Education’s monthly School Board meeting took place on Monday, February 10. The following building presentations were made:
Albion Elementary
Fourth grade student, Emily Dockrill was recognized for her courage, resilience, positive attitude and outgoing personality. Emily is an inspiration to all as she embraces her differing abilities by advocating for herself and educating students and staff on what it is like to be a hard of hearing student. She shared a slide show that she created and uses to educate classmates and friends on being hard of hearing. In it she addresses the most common questions she is asked explaining hearing aids and hearing loss.
Royal View Elementary
Fourth-grade student, Colin Costanzo, was recognized for going above and beyond to make school a better place. Colin volunteers during recess to help out with the computer classes. He strives to assist his younger peers to complete tasks on their own in computer class, as well as working on math and reading. He also helps his physical education teacher set up for class without being asked. His past and present teachers describe him as responsible, hardworking, self-motivated, caring, diligent, organized and a team player, among many other great attributes.
Valley Vista Elementary
Kindergarten students, Matthew Antonucci, Ava Brotje and Michael Dwyer shared their thoughts on their 100 day of school celebration, which took place on February 5. “The day is a milestone for all of our Valley Vista students in that they have been learning, building relationships, growing and most importantly enjoying their first year of school for 100 days,” said Principal Jeff Hill. “In the classrooms, they celebrate the entire day with nonstop 100th day of school activities. Their day consisted of lots of learning, meeting standards, eating and enjoying the company of their classmates.”
North Royalton Middle School
Curriculum Director Melissa Vojta, along with Assistant Principal Erin Calabrese, have been working with a group of Middle and High School teachers this year on literacy. Students Sarah Burdick, Mary Flanagan, Olivia Kovach and Brianna Rush introduced a new initiative of the Literacy Committee, called Word of the Week, which helps to foster a culture of literacy within their school, allowing for the instruction of vocabulary while providing an avenue to enhance types of context clues used in instruction. A group of students designed a banner, and each group in charge of a weekly word designs a poster of the word.
North Royalton High School
Six students have been honored with recognition from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Four students submitted their artwork through courses they took at the High School, while two students submitted their art through their instructor at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. These students were recognized on Saturday, January 18 during a ceremony at The Cleveland Institute of Art. Students who earned a Gold or Silver Key had their art displayed in the gallery after the ceremony. Gold Key works automatically advance to national judging. In New York City, renowned creative professionals review Gold Key works from across the country. Jurors select work for national recognition based on three criteria: originality, technical skill and emergence of a personal vision or voice. Students earning an Honorable Mention had their art available for viewing via electronic kiosk. “This is another example of the exceptionally talented group of students we have at North Royalton High School and the opportunities they have when they pursue their interests, whether that be at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC) or at North Royalton High School,” said Principal Sean Osborne. The students recognized include:
Matison Griffie, Honorable Mention, Clutter in the Attic
Heather Hardin, Honorable Mention, Color Me Gray
Heather Hardin, Gold Key, Cracking the Code
Noelle Kostyack, Honorable Mention, Field Jokes
Noelle Kostyack, Silver Key, Disconnection
Noelle Kostyack, Gold Key, Light
Noelle Kostyack, Gold Key, Ecdysis
Ella Mordaunt, Gold Key, Confetti
Gopala Ponnada, Honorable Mention, A Distant Dream
Lindsay White, Silver Key, African Zig Zag
The Board approved a resolution authorizing a change order to the High School Guaranteed Maximum Price for furniture, fixtures and equipment, and related work, in an amount not to exceed $1,707,361 and authorizing additional spending in an amount not to exceed $175,000 for selected loose furniture, fixtures and equipment. North Royalton School District Treasurer, Biago Sidoti said that “this change order is part of the overall project for the budget, so it’s not outside of that budget that we had established.”
The Board approved an appropriation adjustment from the 001 General Fund from $53,134,555.42 to $53,137,055.42, which reflects a donation.
School Superintendent Greg Gurka noted that regarding the district’s Inkwell publication, some students were highlighted on WVIZ Ideastream program, receiving their A+ recognition. “Inkwell is a wonderful program and a great publication. I want to congratulate all the students and their advisor,” He went on to note that the district is midway through the second year of the district’s five year strategic plan. “In the area of curriculum and student achievement, we’ve had a strong focus, district-wide, on curriculum mapping of the standards and using common assessments that assess student progress on those standards. That work will not only allow students to be successful, it will allow us to identify gaps in instructional practices.” He gave a construction update, saying that work is continuing and progressing very well with the mild weather. “The high school addition is now filled with walls, drywall, HVAC, electrical and plumbing.” He also updated the situation surrounding EdChoice voucher program, saying that “we are awaiting to see what the Senate and House do in the near future.” He concluded by saying that the annual State of the Schools address will take place through the North Royalton Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Wednesday, March 18.
The Board authorized and directed the Board President, Superintendent and Treasurer to execute an Employment Separation Agreement and Release relating to the severance of employment of former Technology Department employee, John Nickell.
The Board approved the appointment of Dr. John Kelly as delegate and Heidi Dolezal as alternate for the Ohio School Board Association’s Annual Capital Conference. The conference will be held November 8-10, 2020.
The Board recognized the retirement of Margo McGrath and Richard Zola. They also accepted the following retirements and resignations:
Retirement
Albert Mikes/Bus Driver/effective May 31, 2020
Resignations
Cynthia Hanford/Cafeteria Worker/effective February 18, 2020 Karen Zanotti/Substitute Bus Driver/effective January 31, 2020
The Board approved the following leaves of absence:
Dawn Alessandro/effective March 12, 2020 (.5) through April 7, 2020
Jessica Granger/effective February 7, 2020 through March 20, 2020
The Board approved/amended the following supplemental contracts for the 2019-20 school year, or as indicated, as needed, salary on schedule:
Donald Filips/Middle School Track Coach
Troi Dotson/Middle School Track Coach
The Board approved parental transportation contracts for the 2019-20 school year.
The Board approved and acknowledged the following gifts and donations:
“-The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame donated four free admission tickets to North Royalton Middle School for Right to Read Week.
-Diane Williams of North Royalton donated two boxes of school supplies to North Royalton City Schools, which were distributed among the buildings.
-ACE Hardware donated $1,664 to the STAC Club at North Royalton High School from a portion of the profits from the North Royalton Yeti cup sales sold at their store.
-The Haney Family of North Royalton donated bicycle helmets, valued at $100, and miscellaneous office supplies, valued at approximately $150 to Royal View Elementary.
-The Bisco Family donated library books to Royal View Elementary.
-Sean and Leslie Stetler of Broadview Heights donated three 3-D printers, valued at $2,500, to North Royalton City Schools.
-The North Royalton Alumni Association donated $200 to North Royalton Middle School for the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.
-OverDrive, Inc. donated two tickets to a Cav’s basketball game, valued at $136.00, to North Royalton Middle School for Right to Read Week.
-The Rotary Club donated $50 to North Royalton Middle School for the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.
-Christopher and Jami Haley donated $500 to North Royalton Middle School for the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C.”
The next regular meeting will be held on March 19, at 7 p.m. at the Royal View Gymnasium.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer