The September meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on September 11.
Assistant Superintendent Melissa Vojta reported on the release of the state report cards. North Royalton School Superintendent, Mike Laub talked about assessments from testing, stating assessment is good, but what is the purpose of assessments? When is too much, too much? He then gave examples, such as having a third grader sit at a desk with pencil and paper for an hour. “Third graders don’t do that and shouldn’t do that.” He went on to say that some of the way the assessments are administered force that and it’s bad educational practice, which might yield a bad educational result. He then talked about testing where results then can be utilized to impact instruction to help students.
The Board approved the 2025-26 appropriation adjustments.
The Board adopted parking lot security and special event security hourly rates, effective August 1, 2025, at $35/hour.
The Board adopted the following resignations and retirement:
Resignations
Nicholas Ciulli/Letterman’s Club Advisor/High School/effective August 19, 2025
Lauryn Mewhinney/Bus Duty/Elementary School/effective August 20, 2025
Retirement
Jerry Beckrest/Bus Driver/Transportation/effective October 1, 2025 (last day of work will be September 30, 2025)
The Board approved the following appointments:
Classified Employees
Shawnee Iacano/Cleaner/High School
Nikki Kudla/Cafeteria Worker/Elementary School/effective September 8, 2025
Allison Moore/Utility Custodian/High School
Eleni Sakellaropoulou/Cafeteria Worker/High School/effective August 27, 2025
Classified Substitute
Jayla Miller/effective September 3, 2025
Joseph Smith/effective September 9, 2025
The Board approved the following leave of absence:
Jeffrey Cifranic/effective August 25, 2025 (half day p.m.) through September 10, 2025
The Board approved the following supplemental contracts for the 2025-26 school year, or as indicated, as needed, salary on schedule:
Bridget Lewandowski/Spirit Club Advisor/High School
Santina Lovano/Link Crew Advisor/High School
Catherine Norris/Spirit Club Advisor/High School
Nina Pignataro/Bus Duty (22%)/Elementary School
Amend Tiffany Vlahovic from Bus Duty 22% contract to Bus Duty full contract
The Board certified the year 2025 Summer Graduates.
The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the North Royalton Police Department regarding the School Resource Officers and the District Therapy Dog.
The Board approved a service agreement with Cintas Fire Protection for monitoring the district fire wall panel systems for the 2025-26 school year.
The Board approved an agreement with PSI Affiliates, Inc/PSI Associates, Inc. For Title I services for the 2025-26 school year for the following schools:
St. Albert the Great School $7,638.05
Assumption Academy $2,546.02
St. Charles Borromeo $4,455.53
The Board approved an agreement with Mckeon Education Group, Inc. For Title 1 services for the 2025-26 school year for Bethel Academy, $4,455.53.
The Board approved an agreement with Wraparound Experts, LLC for Title 1 services for the 2025-26 school year for Academy of St. Bartholomew, $1,909.51.
The Board approved an agreement with Steps Educational Group for special education programs and services for the 2025-26 school year.
The Board approved an agreement with Soliant Health, LLC for psychological services for the 2025-26 school year, beginning September 8, 2025.
The Board approved an agreement with PSI Affiliates, Inc/PSI Associates, Inc. For auxiliary services for the 2025-26 school year for Royal Redeemer Lutheran School in the amount of $124,420.50 and appoint Steffani Cicerchi as administrator, for speech/language services, health screening and intervention specialist.
The Board approved an agreement with Serpentini Chevrolet for baseball and softball naming rights in the sum of $120,000.00. The Board agrees to rename the above referenced baseball and softball fields, “Serpentini Baseball Park” and “Serpentini Softball Park.”
The Board approved to extend the following trip proposal:
Tampa, Florida (December 26, 2025 – December 31, 2025)
North Royalton High School Boys Basketball Team (Clinic/Tournament).
The Board accepted and acknowledged the following gifts and donations:
-Susan Brenner of North Royalton donated hoodies and shirts, valued at approximately $20.00, to the Caring Closet at North Royalton High School.
-The Veale Youth Entrepreneurship Forum donated $10,000.00 to North Royalton High School for the planning and implementation of entrepreneurship programs and activities for the 2025-26 school year.
-Karen Camardo of North Royalton donated a music stand, valued at approximately $20.00, to the music department at North Royalton High School.
-Jan Schwieterman of North Royalton donated a trumpet and music to the music department at North Royalton High School.
-The North Royalton Soccer Club donated $3,000 to the girls’ soccer team for expenses associated with their trip to Columbus.
-The Joseph J. Jacubic Post 572 American Legion in Parma donated $2,500 to the PBIS program at North Royalton High School.
The Board initiated procedures under Ohio law for the retirement and re-employment of Michael Laub, who is employed in the position of Superintendent and has submitted his notice of retirement from employment effective the end of business day on August 1, 2026. Laub has expressed interest and a desire to be rehired in the same position. At its regular meeting on November 13, 2025, the Board of Education will consider re-employing Laub in the position of Superintendent effective August 4, 2026, following retirement.
The next regular Board meeting will take place on October 23, at 5:30 p.m. at the North Royalton High School Community Room.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer