The April meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on Thursday, April 16.
The Board approved transition time for School Superintendent Michael Laub. Laub had 10 accrued vacation days between April 17 and July 31, 2026, to provide transition support services to Avon Local Schools. It states that “such leave shall be properly recorded, and during this period, the Superintendent shall continue to fully perform all required duties for the North Royalton City School.”
The Board adopted a resolution, estimating the amount of District money, in accordance with “Chapter 135 of the Revised Code, which governs the deposit and investment of moneys of the School District subject to the control of this Board, requires that this Board make provision for the designation of depositories of those moneys for periods of five years, and it is necessary at this time to provide for designations of depositories for the period from July 31, 2026 through July 30, 2031,” according to the legislation.
The Board approved the following appropriation adjustments:
Fund 300 District Managed Student Activity Fund, from $700,000 to $750,000; 451-Data Communication Fund, from $6,000 to $6,174.84; 022-District Agency, from $54,011.02 to $55,911.02.
The Board accepted the following resignations and retirements:
Resignations:
Brian Fox/Health/Physical Education/High School/effective June 5, 2026
Eric Poindexter/Head Cleaning Custodian/Middle School/effective March 17, 2026
Scott Uhas/Utility Custodian/Middle School/effective April 14, 2026
Retirements:
Dean Chuppa/Health/Physical Education and Leadership Teacher/Middle School/effective June 1, 2026 (last day of work will be May 29, 2026)
Margaret Harlacz/Aide/Elementary School/effective July 1, 2026 (last day of work will be June 4, 2026)
Michelle Kovach/English Teacher/High School/effective July 1, 2026 (last day of work will be June 5, 2026)
Karen Pissini/Grade 8/Middle School/effective July 1, 2026 (last day of work will be June 5, 2026)
Robert Rodriguez/Maintenance Worker/effective July 1, 2026 (last day of work will be June 30, 2026)
The Board approved the following unpaid leaves of absence:
Samantha Beiling/effective May 13, 2026 through June 5, 2026
Natalie Fanelli/effective May 18, 2026 through June 10, 2026
Valerie Hendrickson/effective May 6, 2026 through June 5, 2026
Shannon Monaco/effective June 1, 2026 through June 5, 2026
Kelly Puleo/effective May 18, 2026 through June 5, 2026
Maisie Ziemke/effective April 29, 2026 through June 5, 2026
The Board approved the following appointments, effective 2025-26 school year, or as indicated (certified and classified employees):
Certified Employees (2026-27)
Derek Baker/Psychologist/Middle School
Madison O’Malley/English/High School
Maxwell Ross/English/High School
Joseph Schlesinger/Health/Physical Education/High School
Michelle Toth/School Counselor/Elementary School
Tiffany Vlahovic/MTSS/Title 1/Elementary School
Rachel Walentik/Intervention Specialist/Elementary School
Certified Substitute
Scott Spessard/effective March 23, 2026/at a daily rate of $166.92
The Board approved the following appointments, effective 2025-26 school year, or as indicated (supplemental contracts):
Ryan Madison/Weight Room/Conditioning Club Advisor/High School
Samantha Nichol/Bowling Club Advisor/Middle School
Joseph Schlesinger/Speed-Strength Weight Room Club Advisor/High School/June-August 2026
The Board approved the following appointments, effective 2025-26 school year, or as indicated (athletic workers): Lillian Pastore, Gina Turella.
The Board approved the following appointments, effective 2025-26 school year, or as indicated (personal service contracts):
Boys Basketball Youth Camp (June 15-17, 2026)
Bryan Bielak, David Bielak, Nickolas Florio, Damon Gambino, Nicholas Lapsevich, Adam Prevost, Nicholas Woods.
The Board approved a resolution to initiate procedures under Ohio law for the retirement and reemployment of teaching employee Richard Emch, who submitted his notice effective May 31 and has expressed a desire to be rehired in the same position. The Board will consider the reemployment at its June 18 meeting.
The Board approved a resolution for a third amendment to the purchase agreement for the closing of former Albion School site, as follows: “Section 3.a of the Agreement shall be amended to allow for the $25,000 extension payment to extend the Feasibility Period to June 15, 2026. This payment shall be applicable to the Purchase Price.”
The Board amended the adopted compensation plans for the North Royalton Principals’ Association and the Central Office Professional Staff Association (COPSA), for the period of August 1, 2025 through July31, 2028.
The Board acknowledged Administrative Professionals Day (April 22, 2026) and Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week (May 4-8, 2026).
The Board honored their community volunteers by recognizing National Volunteer Week (April 19-26, 2026).
The Board approved the following parental transportation contracts (as per Revised Code Chapter 3327) for students attending schools where bus transportation is not provided, effective for the 2025-26 school year:
Al Ihsan School of Excellence – Rocky River Drive
Gizelle Alnzaer
Asiyah Karaja
The Board approved the following extended trip proposals:
University of Findlay/Findlay, Ohio (June 29-30, 2026) North Royalton High School Girls Basketball Team (Tournament)
Columbus, Ohio/Olentangy High School (July 24-26, 2026) North Royalton High School Girls Soccer Team
University of Findlay/Findlay, Ohio (June 22-23, 2026) North Royalton High School Boys Basketball Team (Tournament)
Washington, D.C. (April 29-May 1, 2026) North Royalton Middle School Eighth Graders
The Board accepted and acknowledged the following gifts/donations:
-DBA Job-Rite Mower donated $150 to the North Royalton Athletic Department for the Girls Flag Football program.
-Robert and Jane Jagielo of North Royalton donated $1,100 to the North Royalton Athletic Department for the Girls Flag Football program.
-J. Strazzo of North Royalton donated $100 to the North Royalton Athletic Department for the Girls Flag Football program.
-Kirk and Julie Pavelich of North Royalton donated $100 to the North Royalton Athletic Department for the Girls Flag Football program.
-The North Royalton Stadium Foundation donated $5,000 to the North Royalton Athletic Department for the Girls Flag Football program.
-The North Royalton Stadium Foundation donated $5,500 to the district to purchase a windscreen for the fence in Serpentini Stadium.
-Grant Simmons of North Royalton donated a child’s walker, valued at approximately $650 to North Royalton Elementary School
The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m. at the North Royalton High School Community Room.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
