School Board News

The North Royalton Board of Education held their November meeting on Monday, November 16, via Zoom. One resident commented on how the District is responding to COVID-19 numbers. The Board approved a resolution that appointed North Royalton Board of Education member Jacquelyn Arendt to the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center for a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2021. The Board approved the following 2020-21 appropriation adjustments: 022-District Agency, Sectional Disbursements from NE District Athletic Board, from $ 17,940.97 to $19,020.97; 019; Other Grants, from $178,845.96 to $194,447 ....

Council approves expansion of Stormwater Grant Program

The North Royalton City Council has voted to expand a current grant program that allows home owners associations to apply for grants in order to help subsidize stormwater-related projects that are deemed to be a nuisance. The program will now expand to include a collective of residents who live in an area that is experiencing certain stormwater problems. “We know some areas that would possibly benefit from this,” said City Engineer Mark Schmitzer. The applications for the grants, either from homeowners’ associations or a collective of residents, will have to be approved by him in orde ....

Santa’s Elves are Hard at Work . . .and Santa is waiting for your Letters

Since it has been such a hectic year, Santa asked the North Royalton Lions and the Royalton Hills Lions to assist him.  Santa knows all the good work the clubs perform in the community all year round, including scholarships, adopt a highway, a veteran’s breakfast as well as an Olde Timers Banquet and working with the North Royalton Food Bank to name a few.  The two Clubs eagerly agreed to help, following their motto “We Serve!”  A special red mailbox has been placed at the North Royalton Fire Station on the City Green to receive all of your letters.  It is quite a sight to see it li ....

The ‘Great’ battle against Covid-19

The line was not quiet during a recent telephone interview with Saint Albert the Great School Principal Ed Vittardi. In the background and from his open office window, children could be heard at recess playfully shouting and noisily chatting outside. It’s exactly the noise Vittardi wants to hear. He recently released a letter to school families alerting them that classes will remain in-person and face-to-face despite recommendations from the county to transition to remote learning. When making these decisions, Vittardi always aims to serve the best interests of his school community (which ....

On Tuesday, November 10, a presentation was given at City Hall on the North Royalton Community Report of the Rocky River Stormwater Master Plan. The presentation was given by members of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District. About fifteen residents attended. Donna Friedman, Watershed Team Leader and Matthew Scharver, Deputy Director of Watershed Programs presented the plan, specifically highlighting some of this effort as it pertains to North Royalton. Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz said that “one of my top concerns is to address the numerous stormwater issues that we have continued to de ....

School Board updates teachers union contract

The North Royalton Board of Education unanimously approved a contract at their November 16 meeting with the North Royalton Education Association (NREA), extending and updating their current thee-year contract. The contract is set to expire at the end of the current school year, on July 31, 2021. Also, at that meeting, the Board approved an updated Memorandum of Understanding with the union, relating to COVID-19 re-opening plans. The NREA is the union that represents the district’s teachers. The new contract, for the 2021-22 school year, will begin on August 1, 2021. The new agreement wi ....

Spreading kindness: Individuals, groups on a mission to help others during pandemic

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” – Fred “Mister” Rogers The pandemic is entering its ninth month, and, in that time, many local “helpers” have stepped up to the plate to lend a hand to those in need. The pandemic has also strengthened and revitalized existing efforts to help those less fortunate. These “helpers” come from all walks of life: some are business owners, some are local leaders with large networks, but many are ordinary folks who simply want ....

This year, Small Business Saturday is more important than ever

Small Business Saturday will be taking place on November 28 and, this year, in the midst of a pandemic, it may be more important than ever. Small Business Saturday, usually held in late November, is a day where communities can come together to shop locally and support local businesses. It’s a day to celebrate local businesses and all they do for their communities. “I think small, independently owned businesses, you know, they have a positive social, economic and environmental impact and they are essential to every community,” said Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. Small businesses offer a lev ....

Local schools commemorate Veterans Day

Local events honoring military personnel looked different this Veterans Day, but the message of reverence and gratitude was still evident. At the district’s three elementary schools, virtual Veterans Day presentations and videos took the place of annual in-person assemblies and receptions. School children were asked to submit names and photos of veterans in their families for a special video tribute, including parents, aunts/uncles, grandparents, cousins, and other relatives who served. Students at North Royalton High School performed a range of special projects, depending on their grade ....

City asks residents for input on park upgrade

City administrators are looking for the opinions of residents regarding the upgrading of Memorial Park. The park is located on the west side of State Road, between Akins Road and Royalton Road. The City is in the midst of preparing a Master Improvement Plan for Memorial Park. City administrators have commissioned Cleveland-based Behnke Landscape Architecture for the project. Behnke is a “ leader in planning and designing award-winning outdoor places. As landscape architects and planners focused on improving the communities we touch, we specialize in Active Transportation, Athletics, E ....