North Ridgeville Board hears high school progress report, approves five-year cybersecurity agreement

North Ridgeville Board of Education members on Feb. 18 received a detailed update from North Ridgeville High School leaders on academic performance, social-emotional learning and new career pathways, and approved a five-year agreement to upgrade district cybersecurity.

The presentation, delivered by members of the high school leadership team, summarized semester grading patterns, state-test growth and new curricular and career-readiness offerings that officials said aim to help students "design their preferred futures." The board subsequently approved routine business by voice and roll-call votes, including minutes, financial statements and a human-resources report. The board also voted to enter a five-year contract with Southeast Security for antivirus, enhanced network monitoring, firewall renewals and content filtering.

Why it matters: The high school presentation tied classroom practices and supports to statewide achievement measures and district grading distributions, while the cybersecurity agreement represents a multi-year operational commitment intended to protect district systems that store student and staff data.

Presentation highlights

Mr. Riolo, a high-school administrator who opened the presentation, framed the district's goals around two schoolwide rules: respect and student effort. "Three things in life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind," he said.

Presenters said the district issues more than 7,500 grades each semester and that roughly 80% of grades are A's and B's; they said about 97% of grades are passing and that approximately 3% of grades reflect failing marks that prompt targeted supports. School staff traced gains on state assessments from the 2021-22 baseline through 2023-24 and said subject-area scores have increased, with the district exceeding the state average in the most recent report-card year.

Officials described curricular changes and new opportunities including project-based learning, STEM coursework, pre-apprenticeship options, flexible credit and college-credit slots. They said School Links and a redesigned Ranger homeroom focus on career exploration and social-emotional learning (SEL). A district employee described SEL lessons adapted from the Kevin Love Foundation's curriculum and said staff use PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) and a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to identify and intervene with students who need additional help.

The high school is planning a full-day future fair for all grades the week following the meeting; presenters said students will meet community, military and college representatives and participate in a sophomore-focused "Amazing Shake" program that revisits prior career-readiness lessons.

Board business and votes

Board members approved standard consent items and reports by roll call. The meeting record shows the board approved the appointment of Wendy Hamza as treasurer pro tem for minute-taking purposes, accepted written minutes for January meetings, approved January financial statements and the human-resources report, and voted to sign a five-year cybersecurity agreement with Southeast Security. All recorded roll-call votes shown in the transcript were affirmative.

Votes at a glance

- Appointment of Wendy Hamza as treasurer pro tem — Moved by Ms. Saxon; second by Ms. McCarthy. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approval of written minutes for 01/07/2025, 01/16/2025 and 01/27/2025 — Moved by Mr. Grigsby; second by Mr. Haines. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approval of consent agenda resolution — Moved by Ms. Saxon; second by Ms. McCarthy. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Approval of financial statements and report of interest and investments for January 2025 — Moved by Ms. McCarthy; second (noted). Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Five-year cybersecurity agreement with Southeast Security (antivirus, enhanced monitoring, firewall and content-filtering renewals) — Moved and seconded as part of the buildings and operations report. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Human resources report (support staff appointments, one non-NREA supplemental contract, certified staff adjustments) — Moved by Mr. Haines; seconded. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call). - Motion to adjourn — Moved by Ms. Saxon; second by Ms. McCarthy. Outcome: approved (unanimous roll call).

Context and next steps

Presenters and board members emphasized that most students are meeting grade-level expectations while the district continues to address the smaller share of students who are not. The high school will hold a one-day future fair for all grades on the Friday after the Feb. 18 meeting and district leaders said they will share the presentation slides with the board. Board members and staff also announced a State of North Ridgeville event with the mayor scheduled for the following Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria.

The meeting record shows no formal motions failed or were tabled; discussion of the cybersecurity contract and other agenda items was brief and procedural in the transcript.