The Nordonia Hills Board of Education celebrated strong Advanced Placement results, approved an agreement for outside cybersecurity help and heard a warning about a federal proposal that could end a school internet discount. Members met Sept. 22 at Northfield Elementary. Every recorded vote passed with five yes votes.
Principal Honors Two Students for Achievements Outside School
Nordonia High School Principal Jessica Archer presented the Principal’s Award of Excellence to two students, Alithia Haak and Elliana Chen. She said she saves the award for students who achieve something exceptional outside the school.
Haak, a sophomore, competes in martial arts. She was flying home from Austria during the meeting after a world championship trip that also included Germany and Switzerland. Archer said Haak competed in the MMA light and grappling events in the 15 to 18 age division. Last year she traveled to England and returned with four medals, one silver and three bronze.
Chen has performed with the Chippewa Lake Water Ski Show Team since 2019. Archer described it as the only competitive water ski show team in Ohio. She said the shows blend athletics, gymnastics, choreography, teamwork and storytelling into a theatrical production on the water.
AP Results Show Growth Across Departments
Archer said Nordonia students completed 687 AP exams across 30 subjects. Overall, 82% of exams earned a three or higher, the benchmark for potential college credit. Students earned 93 scores of five, the top mark. In all, 57 students earned at least one five across 24 subjects.
Several courses had 100% of students earn qualifying scores. In many subjects, Nordonia students beat both Ohio and global pass rates. The district also named 56 students AP Scholars with Distinction. A group of 21 current students earned that honor before their senior year, and one did it before junior year.
Teachers whose students scored 90% or higher overall were recognized too. They came from art, science, English, social studies and math. Archer also thanked the school’s AP coordinator for managing nearly 700 exams.
Superintendent Casey Wright said about 50 students took AP exams when he arrived in 2007, for a total of 97 exams. Today the number is roughly 700. He said the coursework can save families money in college through early graduation or access to more advanced classes.
Board Policies and Donations Approved
The board approved nine policies on second reading. They cover withdrawal from school, asthma medication and epinephrine delivery systems, and prohibition from extracurricular activities. They also address diabetes care, electronic communication devices, extracurricular activities, disposal of property, records retention and youth organization access to students during school hours. Wright said the vote puts the policies in place.
A board member highlighted the asthma and epinephrine policy. The member said it opens the door to nasal options for families who prefer not to use injections. The member compared how they are given to nasal Narcan.
The board also accepted a $2,000 donation from a local family for the Ledgeview Elementary principal’s fund, which pays for field trips and extras. Another donor gave computer parts valued at $100 to the high school computer networking class.
Four Agreements Win Approval
Food service report. Members approved the annual food service report and nutrition standards statement. Wright said the report goes to the state and confirms district meals meet state nutrition rules.
Church parking. The board approved its parking agreement with Our Lady of Guadalupe, which sits next to Ledgeview Elementary. The church lets the school use its lot during arrival and dismissal. Treasurer Kyle Kiffer thanked church leaders.
Audiology services. The board approved an agreement with the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio. Wright said the Summit County ESC could not fill an audiologist position, so district staff found one through the Northeast Ohio center.
Cybersecurity. Members approved an agreement with NEOnet for its virtual chief information security officer offering, known as vCISO. Wright said the district’s technology department has two people. He said a full time cybersecurity specialist would not make sense for a district its size. Director of Technology Mike Russ found a NEOnet specialist the district can use, and the service can expand if needed.
Personnel Changes Approved
Teacher Deborah Justus will retire at the end of the current school year. A board member said her retirement letter focused on her colleagues more than herself. The board also approved a returning teacher as a long term substitute intervention specialist at Northfield Elementary through about Dec. 18.
Other certified items include stipends for resident educator mentors, an eighth grade science content advocate and special education advocates at Ledgeview. Detention monitors will be paid $33.40 an hour. Purchase service agreements cover items such as dances and the high school fall play.
The classified list included one resignation, five new assignments, three changes of assignment and eight substitutes. It also added one volunteer for Future Problem Solving at the middle school. Wright said the resigning employee held a two hour a day student supervisor job and plans to substitute.
Two employees did not meet probationary requirements. A board member asked about the 90 day probationary period for classified staff. Wright said it helps both sides decide whether a job fits. He pointed to the pace of feeding 1,200 high school students in a few hours and the demands of working with students with special needs.
Treasurer Seeks Bank Bids and Approves Spending Plan
Kiffer’s consent items included minutes from the Aug. 26 regular and special meetings and the August financial statements. They also included budget amendments for Drama Club, the high school yearbook and Math Club.
The board approved FY2027 permanent appropriations. Kiffer said Ohio law requires them by the end of September, following temporary appropriations approved in June. Members also approved soliciting bank applications and designating depositories for district funds. Kiffer said state law requires the treasurer to bring this to the board every five years. He said the district is happy with its bank but wants to check for better rates. He expects another board vote in October or November.
Athletics Committee Hears About the SAM Act
Board member Matt Ford reported on a recent athletics committee meeting with 26 coaches. The group discussed the state’s Student Athlete Mobility Act, known as the SAM Act. It lets a high school student ask to join an activity in a neighboring district when the student’s own district does not offer it.
Ford said requests are not automatic. Both superintendents must approve, and students must meet the same academic, financial, tryout and conduct rules. Coaches said sports such as hockey, gymnastics and diving can be hard for small districts to sustain. Ford said he worried neighboring districts could cut sports for money or staffing reasons and send a wave of requests to Nordonia. Athletic Director Rob Eckenrode said he prefers that Nordonia athletics stay focused on its own students.
Coaches Praise Trainers and Administrators
Coaches asked the board to hear three points. They praised the district’s athletic trainers and said administrators at games send a meaningful message. They also said coaching staff professionalism has grown.
Fall Athletes Post High GPAs
Ford said fall sports athletes averaged a 3.733 GPA. Girls cross country led with 4.027 across 22 athletes. Girls soccer followed at 3.994, then girls tennis at 3.966 and volleyball at 3.95. Girls golf averaged 3.892 and cheerleading 3.880. Boys cross country came in at 3.759, boys golf at 3.722, boys soccer at 3.671 and football at 3.483.
Public and Private Tournament Petition
Ford said Suburban League administrators are circulating a petition for a statewide vote on separate public and private state tournaments. He said private schools make up about 15% of the competition but won 36 of 98 team state championships. Organizers have until Dec. 1 to gather signatures, and a vote could come in May.
Boosters Seek Volunteers
Ford said athletic boosters raised more than $78,000. Mulch Madness was the biggest fundraiser at $44,000. The money buys uniforms and covers fees for students who cannot afford them. Boosters need volunteers, including people willing to work a concession stand once.
Foundation Update and Federal Scholarship Meeting
Board member Sandra Caramela-Miller reported on the Sept. 9 district foundation meeting, which she attended with Ford. A weekend food program for students in need had 62 participants as of that meeting, compared with 64 at the end of last year. Classroom snack requests reached 25, compared with 27 for all of last year. She said it is unclear whether that reflects greater need or better awareness.
The foundation helped cover fees for five students on the Washington, D.C. field trip. It is updating its website and bylaws. Its next meeting is Oct. 14, and new volunteers are welcome.
Caramela-Miller said she, Wright and Kiffer joined a Sept. 15 meeting with U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon. She said Nordonia was the only public school invited. The talks covered a new federal tax law for scholarship granting organizations that takes effect Jan. 1. She said the program favors private school entities but the district will pursue every dollar it can.
Career Center Announces Events and a Donation
The district’s representative on the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center board shared several updates. College Night is set for Thursday, Oct. 1, with colleges, technical centers and military academies. Kent State University will give a financial aid presentation.
The Career Center’s craft show is Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $1, and proceeds benefit the Skills USA chapter. Independence Excavating donated hard hats, gloves and other gear to the Construction Trades program.
Federal E-Rate Proposal Raises Budget Concerns
A board member said the Federal Communications Commission is asking whether the E-rate program should end or be limited to rural areas. The member called E-rate the fifth largest source of federal school funding. Comments are due Oct. 13, and school leaders are encouraged to weigh in.
Kiffer said the proposal is not law yet. He said losing E-rate would hit the general fund directly because building technology and student connectivity depend on it.
The same board member noted a Senate committee markup on five bills about children’s social media, artificial intelligence and online safety. The member also highlighted Ohio Senate Bill 463, which would change school threat assessment teams and include funding so it is not an unfunded mandate.
What’s Next
The next regular meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at Northfield Elementary, 9374 Olde Eight Road.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did the Nordonia Hills school board meet?
The regular meeting was Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at Northfield Elementary.
2. How did Nordonia students do on AP exams?
Students completed 687 exams, and 82% scored a three or higher. They earned 93 scores of five, and 56 students were named AP Scholars with Distinction.
3. What is E-rate and why does it matter to Nordonia?
E-rate is a federal program that discounts internet service for schools and libraries. Kiffer said ending it would directly affect the district’s general fund.
4. What cybersecurity agreement did the board approve?
The board approved a NEOnet agreement for virtual chief information security officer services. It gives the two person technology department outside expertise without a full time hire.
5. When is the next meeting, and can the public speak?
The next regular meeting is Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. Open forum is on the agenda, and speakers sign in and get five minutes each.
