Minutes after accepting the position of full-time superintendent on December 18, Casey Wright issued a warning to the Nordonia Hills community.
The division must stop.
Wright warned that a recent division in Nordonia Hills must stop.
Nordonia Hills has recently seen a contentious levy attempt which was voted down, and a Board of Education election fueled by online arguments, accusations of stolen signs, and complaints that even involved the police.
Wright stressed a division is not good for the community or students.
“There are a lot of things that have to happen within our district,” Wright said. “And we need to come together.”
According to Wright, the community has an opportunity to end division and make the Nordonia School District the best it can be, he said.
“That means all of us. No longer can we be divided,” he said. “It defeats the mission of what we are about, which is helping kids achieve at the highest possible rates.”
Division will not build futures, and should be left in the past, he said.
“That does exist in our background but that is not going to build a future for us and our kids,” Wright said. “It’s time to let that go. We know where we’ve been.”
The only way to achieve and get better is together, Wright said.
“There is no way we can continue to be divided, even if that division is small,” Wright warned. “We all have to be in this together.”
Wright thanked the community and Board for the support he has received.
“l look forward to what the future brings for our community and for our schools,” Wright said.
Wright was named interim superintendent on October 1 to replace Dr. Joe Clark who took over as Westerville superintendent.
Wright has been with Nordonia for about 15 years as a business manager, high school assistant principal, and principal of the high school.
Wright was offered the position after an executive session and consultation with Finding Leaders, according to Board President Chad Lahrmer. The Board also reviewed community feedback from several focus groups.
During the executive sessions, the Board also met with Wright to discuss his vision for the schools.
“These meetings made it very clear to the Board that Mr. Wright is the person for this job,” Lahrmer said.
The Board will negotiate final details and sign a contract with Wright as soon as possible, Lahrmer added.
“Mr. Wright’s commitment to Nordonia is unparalleled and unquestioned,” Lahrmer read from a prepared statement. “The Board is very excited to take this step in the evolution of Nordonia Schools and look forward to Mr. Wright’s leadership and vision for our district.”
Board Member Liz McKinley called Wright’s progression through the Nordonia ranks “natural.”
“You have proven over the course of 15 years the level of your character and the level of your commitment,” she said.
McKinley has dealt with Wright as a Board member and community member, she said.
“I’m really excited to have you at the helm,” McKinley added.
Tax levy information
The Board voted 4-1 to accept millage for a potential tax levy.
The potential 5-mill tax levy could bring in about $7.3 to district coffers according to the finance department. Of that amount, 4 mills ($5.8 million) would be used for operating costs. The remaining 1 mill ($1.47) would be used for permanent improvement projects.
If passed the levy would cost homeowners $175 per $100,000 per appraised county value, according to Chad Lahrmer.
Lahrmer said the district would like to place a levy on the ballot before it’s too late and more money must be asked for.
Board Member Matthew Kearney abstained from the vote.
“Frankly, I just don’t have enough information before for me to say, ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” he said.
Kearney said he wants the Board to gather more information and gather community opinion.
Legislation
Approve Consent Items, passed including:
- OSBA Membership Dues Approve OSBA Membership Dues effective January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024.
- Consider New Board Policy – (Second Reading – Action Required) 6.15 – Graduation/Diploma Requirements Accept Donations
- Donation from IHOP in Macedonia. The donation was used to purchase warm-up pants for the Girls Basketball program, in the amount of $1,170.00.
- Approve Overnight/Extended Student Trip
- Barnesville HS Wrestling Tournament in Barnesville, Ohio, from December 15, 2023, to December 16, 2023. Transportation by school van. The cost is approximately $100/student with no cost to the district.
- Perrysburg HS Wrestling Tournament in Perrysburg, Ohio, from January 5, 2024, to January 6, 2024. Transportation by school van. The cost is approximately $100/student with no cost to the district.
- Top Gun HS Wrestling Tournament in Alliance, Ohio, from January 12, 2024, to January 13, 2024. Transportation by school van. The cost is approximately $100/student with no cost to the district. Resolution Declaring Transportation Impractical for Certain Identified Students.
- Resolution for Grade Three Assessment Resolution, passed.
- Resolution to approve Kindergarten Tuition for the 2024-25 school year, passed.
- Full-time Tuition Students who qualify for the reduced lunch program Students who qualify for the free lunch program, passed.
- Resolution passed, to Approve Delayed Start for Kindergarten for the 2024-25 school year.
- Resolution passed, to Approve Delayed Start for Grades 1 – 12 for the 2024-25 school year.
- A Resolution for District Roof Replacement Agreements for Summer 2024 Roofing Projects, passed.
These agreements are seeking approval with TeamCraft Roofing for the replacement of roofing at Rushwood Elementary School and Champion Roofing for the replacement of roofing at Northfield Elementary School, Lee Eaton Intermediate School, and Nordonia High School. We will begin these replacement projects after the 2023-2024 school year with an anticipated completion date of August 11, 2024. The district has previous experience with both vendors.
- Approve Roof Replacement Project Agreement with TeamCraft Roofing, 1316 North Long Street, Salisbury, N.C. 28244 in the amount of $615,180 for roof replacement at Rushwood Elementary School
- Approve Roof Replacement Project Agreement with Champion Roofing, 26100 Broadway Ave., Oakwood Village, Ohio 44146 for $252,642 for Roof Replacement at Northfield Elementary School.
- Approve Roof Replacement Project Agreement with Champion Roofing, 26100 Broadway Ave., Oakwood Village, Ohio 44146 for $164,650 for Roof Replacement at Lee Eaton Intermediate School.
- Approve Roof Replacement Project Agreement with Champion Roofing, 26100 Broadway Ave., Oakwood Village, Ohio 44146 for $151,038 for Roof Replacement at Nordonia High School.
- A resolution to Approve a service agreement with ESC of the Western Reserve Not to exceed $26,000, passed. Paid out of IDEA-B.
- A resolution passed for Purchase Service Contracts:
Rebecca Chen
Julia Dulaney
Ryan Dulaney
2 contracts Megan Gargano
2 contracts Richard Nyce
- A resolution to Approve Personnel Items passed.
- Revised Assistant Treasurer Contract
- Certified:
- Retirement/Resignation
None
- New Appointment/Assignment
None
- Long-Term Substitute
Samantha Little, NF Grade 2 (subbing for M Harmon), effective 12/18/2023- approximately 2/1/2024
- Home Instruction (Paid at the curriculum rate of $31.47/hr.) None
- Extended Time None
- Curriculum
(Paid at the curriculum rate of $31.47/hr., unless otherwise noted)
Contingent on university funding, Dan Lieberth is to be paid $300.00, to work as a cooperating teacher (student teacher) during the 2nd semester of the 2023-2024 school year.
- Supplementals (based on BA/0-$44,962) (non-athletics)
LV Ski Club Advisor, Ben Dulin, 4%
MS Ski Club Advisor, Cindy O’Connor 4%
MS Trip Advisor, Adam Wiskofske, resignation effective 12/6/2023
– Exempt:
Beckie Falkenberg, Payroll Coordinator, Step 2 on the Exempt Salary Schedule, effective 12/28/2023
Classified:
- Resignation/Retirement
Kassandra Skelly, MS Paraprofessional, resignation effective 12/13/2023
- Leave of Absence None
- New Assignment
Lisa Lewis, RW Student Supervisor, 2.0 hours per day, 5 days per week, effective TBD, Step 0, $16.96/hr.
Samantha Ritchie, LV Second Shift Custodian, 8 hours per day, 5 days per week, effective 12/4/2023, Step 0, $18.95/hr.
Alyssa Sarkissian, MS Administrative Assistant, 8.0 hours per day, 5 days per week, 219 days per year, effective, Step 2, $21.15/hr.
Scott Zehner, MS Night Foreman, 8.0 hours per day, 5 days per week, effective 12/19/23, Step 0, $20.36/hr.
- Change of Assignment None
- Approve Purchase Service Contracts/Extra Duties None
- Substitute
-David Foust, Security
-Shannon Tack, Paraprofessional
TREASURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
- Approve a Consent Items:
Special Board Meeting Minutes – November 20, 2023, Regular Board Meeting Minutes – November 20, 2023, Financial Statement – November 2023
- Budget Amendment MS Student Council, passed.
- Levy Resolution, passed.
- TIF Resolution, passed
- A resolution to Approve adjusted FY24 and Appropriation, passed.
The next Regular meeting of the Board will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 7 p.m. at Northfield Elementary School, 9374 Olde Eight Road, Northfield.
