The April meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on Monday, April 8.
The following building presentations were given:
Royal View Elementary, along with our friends at Albion and Valley Vista, have participated in the American Heart Association Jump Rope for Heart and now Kids Heart Challenge program. “By holding this event at our school each year, we are able to raise awareness about heart-healthy living,” said Principal Kirk Pavelich. “In addition, the money raised can fund more life-saving scientific research and critically needed education efforts. Through the Kids Heart Challenge program, our students learn jump rope skills, how their heart works, and how they can raise money to help kids with special hearts. Most of all, the program enables them to have fun, learn how to stay healthy and make a difference in the lives of others.”
Valley Vista Elementary Student Council were recognized for their service projects throughout the 2018-19 school year, such as Red Ribbon Week, Unity Day, Thanksgiving Food Drive, Halloween Candy, Giving Tree (hats, gloves, mittens, coats, socks and boots this year) just to name a few. A good number of items were donated to the North Royalton Food Bank, veterans, senior centers and St. Malachi’s Church in Cleveland. They include first-graders Addisyn Piorkowski, Kevin Reinhardt and Penelope Thomas; second-graders Samantha Presser, Owen Schilling and Zoey Sparks; third-graders Natalie Frydryk and Blake McDonnell; and fourth-graders Aubree Porto and Ben Swab.
North Royalton Middle School’s WNRMS allows for event and other communication to the student body and staff, as well as utilizing today’s technology for students to create, edit and broadcast. Students Jack Humble, Hari Kasi, Emma Ondrish and Julia Radziszewski were recognized by advisor Don Filips and the Board of Education for their work with WNRMS.
North Royalton High School junior Jaya Harris was recognized by the Board for being an outstanding active student-athlete and a legislative ambassador for the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC). Harris plays basketball and runs track and field. She is also a student in the fire and EMS program at the Career Center. As a CVCC legislative ambassador, Harris traveled to Columbus to meet with legislative aides to discuss the importance of career technical schools.
The following winter athletes were recognized:
Gymnastics: Team: 3rd Place in the OHSAA Championship
Avery Keller: 3rd Uneven Bars, 8th Floor, 16th Vault, 12th All Around
Mya Costello: 13th Uneven Bars, 4th Floor, 5th Vault, 4th All Around
Wrestling: OHSAA State Championship
#152: Paul Twarog: 8th Place
#220: Lazar Gasic: State Qualifier
Swimming: OHSAA State Championship
Sarah Turchanik: 100 Butterfly 9th Place; 100 Backstroke 5th Place
Andrew Vance: 200 & 500 Freestyle: Qualifier
Bobby Bottomley: 100 Butterfly: Qualifier
The Board approved the following 2018-19 appropriation adjustments:
018 Public School Support Funds (*Seventh-grade Columbus trip revenue) from $400,000 to $425,000; 019 Other Grants Fund (*Donations, increased revenue) from $206,585.30 to $213,041.93.
The Board approved the following transfer: $22,000. from 001-General Fund (*To cover final expenses for the 2018-19 fiscal year) to 950A-Athletics.
The Board approved a resolution that authorizes a change order to GMP 2.2 for High School renovations in the amount not to exceed $1,053,588.14.
North Royalton School Superintendent thanked all that came out for the High School groundbreaking ceremony on April 6. “It really was a wonderful morning.” He then gave an update on the construction projects. He thanked Senator Matt Dolan for meeting with Superintendents and Treasurers to discuss the upcoming state budget. Gurka went on to note that it is now testing season in the district. “Over the next several weeks, we have various staff and parent appreciation days and weeks. From our wonderful volunteers who we could not do without; and to our administrative professionals, who keep this well oiled machine moving forward; to our teachers, aides, custodians, bus drivers, and all the staff who take care of our children on a daily basis, I just want to say thank you for your service.”
The Board approved resolutions acknowledging Administrative Professionals Week (April 22-26, 2019) and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week (May 6-10, 2019), as well as National Volunteer Week (April 7-13, 2019).
The Board approved an agreement with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio’s Governing Board Primary Service Agreement and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) approved Cover Sheet for July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021. Services may include in-service and continuing education programs for district personnel, curriculum services, research and development programs and academic instruction.
The Board approved a contract with Reserve School for special education and related services as needed for the 2018-19 school year.
The Board adopted the following resignations/retirements:
Retirement – Bradley Cerveny/Assistant Coach Boys Tennis/High School, effective April 5, 2019; Linda Niemira/Bus Monitor/effective May 31, 2019; Shannon Suhodolsky/Teacher/Albion/effective June 1, 2019
Resignations -Joseph Hagen/Bus Driver/June 1, 2019; Beth Iafigliola/Music Teacher/Albion/effective June 1, 2019; Nunziatina Trusso/High School Cleaner/effective June 1, 2019; Karen Whitely/Middle School/effective May 31, 2019.
Three resolutions were authorized by the Board, granting the following easements:
to the Cleveland Water Department for a water meter vault at the High School;
to the city of North Royalton for storm water management and access to underground storm water management system at the High School; to the Cleveland Water Department for a water meter vault at the North Royalton Elementary School.
The Board approved a renewal of the service agreement with UniFirst Uniforms, effective April 9, 2019 through April 9, 2022 for uniforms for district maintenance and transportation employees.
The Board accepted and acknowledged the following gifts/donations:
“The Strongsville VFW Post 3345, donated $100 to the John Shepherd scholarship for the North Royalton Middle School Washington, D.C. trip.”
The next regular meeting will be held on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Royal View Gymnasium.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer