The North Royalton Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, June 18.
The Board adopted a resolution recommending an amendment to the Ohio School Board Association’s 2026 legislative platform, which contains technology-related language and the use of AI technology. The Board recommends the following language changes to be added to the legislative platform under Technology: “AI and Safety
While AI-powered technology offers promising opportunities to enhance learning and streamline operations in public schools, research shows it also presents significant risks regarding student data privacy, misinformation and manipulation, and negative impacts on cognitive and emotional development–especially for young learners.
OSBA supports legislation that:
• Establishes clear guardrails for the use of AI in K-12 education, including protections for student data and privacy, guidelines to prevent cognitive or emotional harm, and safeguards from use of AI content for bullying, abuse or exploitation.
• Allows districts to determine policies and standards for the safe, responsible and ethical use of AI to prevent harm to K-12 students, staff and district operations.”
The Board approved an employment contract amendment with Patrick Farrell, Director of Human Resources, which runs from August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2028, to appoint him to the central office administrator position of Business Manager, effective August 1, 2026.
The Board accepted bids for general liability, fleet and umbrella insurance from Alera Group Company for the insurance contract for the District from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.
The Board approved the endorsements to the District’s liability policy to include: North Royalton Athletic Boosters, North Royalton Band Boosters, North Royalton Choir Boosters, North Royalton Elementary School PTA, North Royalton Middle School PTA, North Royalton High School PTA, North Royalton Early Childhood PTA, North Royalton PTA Council, North Royalton Stadium Foundation and the North Royalton Educational Foundation, and the North Royalton Alumni Association, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
The Board resolved to designate the depositories of public moneys of the school district for the period of July 31, 2026 through July 30, 2031, as follows: Dollar Bank, Fifth Third Bank, First National Bank, KeyBank National Association and U.S. Bank.
The Board adopted a resolution upon the retirement of Jerry Beckrest, Julie Bogden, Nicholas Ciulli, Dean Chuppa, Kathy Emch, Kathleen Filuta, Margaret Harlacz, Elizabeth Kleem, Michelle Kovach, John Michael McGinnis, Karen Pissini, Robert Rodriguez,Scott Spessard, Lisa Sprunger, Steven Sprunger, Robin Vargo,Cynthia Velotta.
The Board accepted the following resignations and retirements::
Resignations:
Heidi Devlin/Bus Monitor/Transportation/effective June 4, 2026
Mia Engelke/Aide/Middle School/effective June 5, 2026
Mark Robakowski/Assistant Custodian/High School/effective June 12, 2026
Sarah Sloban/Aide/Elementary School/effective June 15, 2026
Retirement:
Nancy Hill/Speech-Language Pathologist/effective October 1, 2026 (last day of work will be September 25, 2026).
The Board approved the following appointments, subject to assignment by the Superintendent, according to the needs and interests of the schools, salary on schedule, effective 2025-26 school year, or as indicated:
Certified Substitutes (effective 2026-27 school year):
Stacy Bardwell, Addison Keitlen, Lena Mekruit, Maria Vitko
Classified Employees (2025-26):
Jack Matthews/Utility Custodian/Middle School/effective June 15, 2026; Artis Powell/Maintenance Worker/District/effective June 9, 2026.
The Board approved the following for supplemental contracts for the 2025-26 school year, or as indicated, as needed, salary on schedule:
Monica Boduszek/AP Test Coordinator/High School
The Board certified the year 2026 graduates, provided they satisfactorily completed the requirements of the State Department of Education and the North Royalton Board of Education.
The Board amended the following contracts, salary on schedule:
Beth Steele/District Health Coordinator/effective from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 to August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028; John Vilevac/Lead Network & Systems Coordinator/effective from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027 to August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2028.
The Board approved the temporary consulting position with John Michael McGinnis regarding its preschool program during the 2026-27 school year, for up to but not exceeding ninety days at $350.00 per day.
The Board authorized the adoption of the following textbooks for the 2026-27 school year:
AP Research, Research Design, 6th ed., SAGE Publications; AP Environmental Science, Environmental Science for the AP Course, BFW Publishers; AP Psychology, AP Psychology, AMSCO, 3rd ed., Perfection Learning.
The Board approved agreements with the following: Connect for Platform, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027; Bridge Platform Holdings for software for an initial term of 36 months; Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company for the 2026-27 school year; Cummins Sales and Service for school generator service and monitoring for the high school and elementary school; USA Mobile Drug Testing of Northeast Ohio for bus/van driver testing, July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; University Hospitals Occupational Health Services for bus/van driver exams, July 1, 2026 through July 30, 2027; Handle with Care Behavior Management System, Incorporated, for instructor recertification for restraint/seclusion training for the 2026-27 school year; Personal Leasing Transportation Company for student transport for the 2026-27 school year
The Board adopted three resolutions authorizing the execution of a memorandum of understanding with the North Royalton Band Boosters, the North Royalton Athletic Boosters and the North Royalton Choir Boosters.
The Board approved the following extended trip proposal:
North Royalton High School Girls Basketball, Tampa, Florida, December 26-31, 2026
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
