Board meeting highlights exceptional AP performance and strategic plan progress
Nordonia High School students and faculty earned widespread recognition at Monday’s school board meeting, showcasing achievements that place the district among the state’s academic leaders.
Record-Breaking AP Performance
Principal Jesse Archer presented remarkable Advanced Placement results from the 2024-25 school year. The district administered 765 AP exams, with an exceptional 81% of students earning scores of three or higher – well above national averages. Students scored at or above national benchmarks in 17 of 27 subjects while achieving 119 perfect scores.
The achievement represents a district tradition of excellence, including summer home visits to personally congratulate high-achieving students. Seventy-six students earned at least one perfect score of five, with five current seniors achieving two perfect scores each and three additional students earning three perfect scores.
Faculty performance matched student excellence across multiple subjects. The physics department achieved a 100% pass rate on Physics 1 exams compared to the 73% national average, and 86% on Physics 2 compared to 78% nationally. The program covers both courses in a single year, unlike most schools requiring two years.
AP Seminar students posted a 98% pass rate among 43 participants, while AP Biology students achieved 93% success compared to the 71% national rate. AP Computer Science A students reached 90%, significantly higher than the 70% national benchmark.
Superintendent Casey Wright praised the results as the highest number of test-takers and high scorers he has witnessed in 28 years of education.
Career Center Students Excel Nationally
Nordonia led all Cuyahoga Valley Career Center partner schools in early placement earnings, with 11 students qualifying for national competition through state scores. Two students earned nationally ranked awards.
One student placed fourth nationally in education professions specializing in school leadership after completing an internship with the high school principal. Another earned fifth place nationally in both Java programming and web development, creating an AI chatbot calculator and developing a healthy habit tracking app for corporate wellness challenges.
National Merit Honors
Three students earned National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar status by scoring in the top 4% nationwide on the PSAT.
The 2025 homecoming court also received recognition for exemplifying positive student leadership. Selected by peers for involvement in sports, clubs and leadership positions, Principal Archer described the students as representing the best qualities of their graduating class.
Strategic Plan Implementation Shows Results
During a work session, district leaders reported significant progress on the “Achieve” and “Connect” components of the strategic plan.
Academic Transformation Underway
Curriculum Director Carol S. Tonsing has met with every instructional team districtwide to implement the five-step professional learning community process. Response has been enthusiastic, with teams requesting additional data support and scheduling early morning meetings.
Teams are implementing data-driven instruction using state test results and new diagnostic assessments. The middle school administered its first Ohio Readiness Assessment, with elementary representatives observing to prepare for future implementation.
The district established vertical alignment for goal-setting, focusing on analysis skills where students show deficits. All content areas participate, including art, physical education and music teachers.
Addressing Achievement Challenges
Officials acknowledged specific improvement areas, particularly fifth-grade science and high school mathematics performance. Despite increases in every state indicator – including seven-point gains in seventh-grade reading and improvement from 68% to 80% in eighth-grade math – the district scored a three in progress measurements on the state report card.
The challenge involves advancing proficient students to advanced levels rather than basic skill development. State weighting changes affected overall ratings despite improved performance across all measures.
Communications Revolution
The new Parent Square platform achieved remarkable early adoption with 1,329 parents downloading the app from 3,500 district families in the first month. Newsletter open rates reached 64%, indicating strong community engagement.
The communications coordinator reported establishing partnerships with over 20 community organizations including Target, Walmart, Rotary Club and State Farm. This advances the three-year goal of 100 community partners while the platform enables automatic newsletter translation into multiple languages.
Teachers received comprehensive training during September’s professional development day with overwhelmingly positive response. Educators expressed readiness to utilize enhanced communication tools including forms, surveys and volunteer coordination.
Financial Stability Continues
Treasurer Kyle Kiffer reported August revenues exceeded last year by $2.2 million, primarily from tax collection timing. The board approved fiscal 2026 permanent appropriations and reviewed an updated Popular Annual Financial Report designed for clearer community communication.
The district’s MGM settlement concludes in March 2026 with a final $465,000 payment. Officials continue using the five-year forecast as an active budgeting tool rather than maintaining separate tracking systems.
Policy Updates Address State Requirements
The board approved second readings of multiple policy updates mandated by Ohio’s budget bill, covering student discipline codes, electronic communication devices, career-technical education transfers and budget planning procedures.
Community Engagement Expands
Safe Decisions Week concluded successfully with the homecoming football game, featuring mental health resources, impaired driving demonstrations and safety presentations. The Rotary Club provided complimentary refreshments while community members participated in educational activities.
Unity Week continues through October, encouraging donations of canned goods and gently used items for local families.
Personnel Changes Meet Growing Needs
The board approved numerous personnel moves including new paraprofessional positions supporting students with special needs. Superintendent Wright acknowledged ongoing recruitment challenges as students with Individual Education Plans require additional adult support.
Notable changes include a recent graduate accepting a professional volleyball position in Europe and various coaching transitions. The district continues strategic evaluation of positions before filling vacancies.
Foundation Support Doubles
The Nordonia Hills Scholarship Granting Organization achieved remarkable growth, covering $222,000 in kindergarten tuition for 58 families compared to $95,000 for 125 families last year. The organization provided full tuition for 50 families, partial support for eight others and $500 reductions for remaining district students.
Finance Committee Chair Chad Lahrmer noted that doubling donor participation again could generate over $400,000, potentially covering the entire kindergarten program while providing additional state funding.
Legislative Concerns Addressed
OSBA Legislative Liaison Liz McKinley detailed concerning state legislation potentially impacting school funding. House Bill 420 would eliminate continuing levies after 2029, while House Bill 421 would allow inside millage reductions affecting schools and municipal services.
Additional proposals include raising voter approval thresholds to two-thirds majority for levies above 2 mills and capping growth from the 20-mill floor to inflation rates.
McKinley noted no proposed legislation offers solutions to support adequate education funding in Ohio, urging community members to contact state representatives regarding these measures.
Community Scholarship Opportunities
A community member representing the Daughters of the American Revolution addressed the board about available scholarships and grants. The organization offers renewable scholarships for up to four years, with applications opening in November.
Current competitions include the Junior American Citizens Competition for grades K-12 featuring creative projects, and the American History Competition for grades 5-8 emphasizing research skills. Teachers can apply for $500 Helen Pouch classroom grants with fall deadlines approaching October 15.
Looking Ahead
The district will host its annual State of Schools presentation October 13 at 6 p.m., providing community members comprehensive updates on district progress and initiatives. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for October 20 at 7 p.m.
