The September meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on September 13.
One resident addressed the Board regarding questions on the COVID mask mandates.
The Board approved the 2021-22 appropriation adjustments.
The Board adopted the comprehensive continuous improvement plan for 2021-22 as listed:
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III, $2,734,776.89
Title I – Expanding Opportunities for Each Child $11,902.05
The Board authorized a Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for the abatement of Royal View Elementary School not to exceed $250,000.
The Board authorized a Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for the abatement and demolition of Albion Elementary School not to exceed $650,000.
The Board authorized a Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for the abatement and demolition of Valley Vista Elementary School not to exceed $550,000.
School Superintendent Matt Laub stated that he has received plenty of calls regarding the mask mandate “on both sides of the equation.” He indicated that “our number one goal is to keep kids in school.” He noted that out of the 47 northeast Ohio schools, there was about a fifty percent split of those districts requiring a mask mandate in August. “As of today, thirty five have a mask mandate and twelve do not.” He went on to say “it’s all about the quarantine rules, which are not our rules. They are rules of the health department.” He explained that some districts have had to quarantine up to 500 students. He said that “as of today, we are at 169 cases. . . so that tells us that there is more COVID in the community, and more COVID in the community means more COVID in school. And if we don’t put things in place to keep people from getting quarantined, then we end up sending kids home instead of having them on the bus.”
The Board certified the 2021 summer graduates.
The Board amended the 2021-22 school year calendar to show that November 2, 2021 election day, will be on a non-school day for elementary students only and a staff professional development day for elementary school staff members, as the Board of Elections will be using the building that day.
The Board approved the participation with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for inter-district services for the 2021-22 school year. This includes teachers of hearing impaired, educational audiologist, teachers of visually impaired, functional low vision screening, orientation and mobility trainer, rehabilitation services and braille services.
The Board approved an agreement with PSI Affiliates, Inc./PSI Associates, Inc. For auxiliary services for Royal Redeemer Lutheran School for the 2021-22 school year.
The Board approved an agreement with the Parma City School District for providing special education programming and services, as needed, for the 2021-22 school year.
The Board approved an agreement with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio for meeting educational needs and services for special needs students for the 2021-22 school year.
The Board approved an agreement with Ohio University to provide data use and confidentiality when using The Ohio Healthy Youth Environments Survey, that will be administered to grades 7 through 12.
Two agreements were approved by the Board with PSI Affiliates, Inc./PSI Associates, Inc. for St. Albert the Great for auxiliary services, appointing Julie Bogden as administrator.
The Board approved an agreement with McKeon Education Group, Inc. for Title I services for the 2021-22 school year for Incarnate Word Academy, $1,124.35. They also approved an agreement with PSI Affiliates, Inc. for Academy of St. Bartholomew, $1,124.35; Assumption, $1,124.35 and Saint Albert the Great School, $5,621.74.
The Board recognized the retirement of Peggy Szabo and accepted the following retirements and resignations, as follows:
Retirement
Loralie Galaska/Cleaner/Elementary School/effective October 1, 2021
Resignations: Leslie Bardwell/Bus Duty/North Royalton Elementary/effective September 1, 2021; Ellen Berglund/Classified Substitute/effective August 16, 2021; Kelly Close/Classified Substitute/effective August 18, 2021; Molly Cope/Aide/Middle School/effective August 17, 2021; Scott Exoo/Middle School/Utility Custodian/effective September 8, 2021; Andrzej Gorny/Cleaner/Elementary School/effective August 31, 2021; Cynthia Minnick/Classified Substitute/effective August 31, 2021; Mary Moroney/SGI/Middle School/effective August 17, 2021; Mina Nardi/Classified Substitute/effective August 24, 2021; Dolleen Panichi/Bus Driver/effective August 20, 2021; Bonnie Rompala/Classified Substitute/effective August 26, 2021; Cathleen Rush/Bus Duty/North Royalton Elementary/effective September 7, 2021; Scott Sedio/Classified Substitute Bus Driver/effective August 27, 2021; Kathleen Short/Classified Substitute/effective August 25, 2021; William Von Alt/Classified Substitute Bus driver/effective August 27, 2021.
The Board approved the change of assignment of Michael Willis, from Head High School Cleaning Custodian to High School Utility Custodian, effective September 1, 2021.
The Board authorized the Ohio schools Council to advertise and receive bids on behalf of said Board as per the specifications submitted for the cooperative purchase of four School bus chassis and bodies.
The Board approved the agreement with EA Group for the testing, monitoring and reporting for the hazardous abatement work to be performed at Royal View Elementary.
The Board approved the following trip proposal: North Royalton High School Cheerleading Program Pink Ribbon Cheer Classic, Youngstown State University, Beeghly Center, Sunday, October 24, 2021.
The Board approved the rental agreement with Holy Name High School for the use of Serpentini Stadium for athletic events.
The next regular Board meeting will take place on Monday, October 11, 7 p.m. at Royal View Elementary School.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer