The first meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on Monday, January 7, directly following the yearly organizational meeting. During the organizational meeting, the
John Kelly was nominated as the 2019 Board President and Anne Reinkober as the Board Vice President.
The following 2019 committee assignments were designated:
Financial Advisory and Audit: Heidi Dolezal, alternate, John Kelly
Policy: Susan Clark, alternate, John Kelly
Liaison for OSBA, Jacquelyn Arendt
The Board renewed the 2019 membership in the Ohio School Boards Association and approved Squire Patton Boggs, The Riley Law Firm and Ennis Britton Co., L.P.A. for legal counsel on an as-need basis for 2019. The Board acknowledged the following district support organizations:
A. Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs)
B. Parent Teacher Association Council
C. Band Boosters
D. Choir Boosters
E. Athletic Boosters
F. North Royalton Educational Foundation
G. North Royalton Stadium Foundation
The Board authorized the Superintendent/designee to employ such personnel as needed; apply for and coordinate all state and federal programs; serve as purchasing agent for the District; approve professional conferences. The superintendent is also authorized to determine when employees participation in a professional organization, service organization or other outside organization is in the best interest of North Royalton City Schools, and establish school fees.
The Board authorized the Treasurer to:
Make appropriation modifications within each fund to any other appropriation classification within such fund as the need may arise
B. Pay all bills within the limits of the appropriations resolution as bills are received and when merchandise has been received in acceptable condition
C. Sign all checks (one signature) drawn on the Board of Education accounts
D. Waive the reading of the minutes of the last Board of Education meeting
E. Make advances and transfers as needed and report to the Board
F. Make investments with active funds, as they are available
The Tax Budget was presented by North Royalton School Treasurer, Biagio Sidoti. The Board then adopted the Fiscal Year 2020 Tax Budget.
School Superintendent Greg Gurka congratulated Albion Elementary School, who was recently awarded by the Ohio Department of Education, the Overall A Award, given to schools whose overall grade on the Ohio State Report Card was an A. Gurka noted that although he doesn’t really focus on overall scores, “we focus on much more than that, we focus on the whole child. . . If a child feels safe, secure and valued, they are then in a position to learn. Mr. Ketterer and the staff at Albion Elementary School do focus on relationships and the accountability to standards and Albion is a fine representation of all our wonderful students and staff.”
Gurka recognized the Board, as a part of Board Recognition Month. “The work of a Board of Education member starts with caring about the well-being of children and that is first and foremost. . . and has to do what needs to be done to be an advocate for those students. We, as community members of North Royalton, are fortunate to have five people who are absolutely advocates for our children.” A presentation honoring the Board then took place.
Gurka noted that North Royalton Schools are partnering with University Hospital Parma Medical Center to provide “Stop the Bleed” buckets for each of our classrooms. The buckets contain life-saving materials, such as tourniquets and blood clotting materials. In the next weeks, staff members will be trained to utilize these buckets. “This is approximately a $32,000 investment that UH Parma is making for our district’s students and staff.” He also reminded resident that February 26, at 7 p.m. is the State of the Schools/Construction meeting at the Performing Arts Center.
The following building presentations were made:
A presentation was given by Albion Elementary students, who joined North Royalton Middle School students in attending Beachwood High School’s annual American Sign Language Club holiday party in December, which celebrates the deaf and hard of hearing community.
First grade students from Royal View Elementary presented name plates for the members of the Board of Education that they designed, as well as Royal Pride Tickets, which are given for being respectful, active and responsible learners. The plates and tickets were presented as part of Board Recognition Month.
First grade students from Valley Vista Elementary were recognized by the Board of Education for learning about holiday customs around the world, including the traditions and history of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. They presented what they learned to the Board.
Seventh grade Middle School students, with the support of the North Royalton Middle School PTA, had the opportunity to participate in the Challenge Day Program last October and November 7. The goal of the Program is to build community and to help address a variety of challenges that middle school students face.
North Royalton High School senior Thomas Smith II received several awards in the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition; two gold keys and one silver key for his mixed media and sculpture works. Scholastics is a nationally-recognized art and writing competition for students in grades 9-12. Smith’s works will be on display among the other award winners in the region at the Cleveland Institute of Art from January 22 through February 1.
The Board approved the contract with Education Alternatives for the purpose of providing education programs and transportation services for students as needed for the 2018-19 school year. They also approved the 2018-19 edition of The Interagency Agreement Regarding the Provision of Service Delivery and Transition for Young Children & Families.
The Board accepted the retirement of Josephine Trusso, who served the district as a cleaner for forty years.
The Board approved the appointment of James Presot as Assistant Superintendent, effective February 1, 2019 through July 31, 2022, at a base salary of $65,181.40 for the period of February 1, 2019 – July 31, 2019.
The Board approved the extended trip proposal of the High School Marching Band for Orlando, Florida, Disney World New Year’s Parade, December 28, 2019 – January 2, 2020.
The Board unanimously accepted and acknowledged the following gifts and donations:
“-Chick-fil-A of Strongsville donated 30 coupons for a free sandwich to North Royalton High School.
-Dan Langshaw of North Royalton donated three books, valued at approximately $27, to the library at North Royalton Middle School.”
The next regularly scheduled Board of Education Meeting will take place on Monday, February 11, at 7 p.m. at the North Royalton High School Community Room.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer