Willoughby-Eastlake board approves administrative hires, moves to executive session

The Willoughby-Eastlake City Board held a special meeting June 30 and approved a slate of administrative and certified personnel changes, then voted to adjourn into executive session to discuss appointment or employment of a public official.

Superintendent-level remarks at the meeting said the district moved quickly to fill vacancies because Ohio law makes it difficult for employees to leave a contract after a July 10 deadline. "In July 10, typically, after that date, it's difficult to get employees out of a contract," said Dr. Ward. He said the special meeting was scheduled so incoming candidates could give notice to their current employers and so the districts they were leaving would have time to recruit replacements.

Board members voted 5-0 to approve the administrative personnel item (agenda item 3A) and 5-0 to approve the certified personnel item (agenda item 3B). Earlier in the meeting the agenda itself was approved by the members present at that time, with a 3-0 vote. After those approvals the board voted to adjourn to executive session; the meeting entered executive session at 5:52 p.m.

During his remarks, Dr. Ward outlined the personnel moves on the agenda. Gina Brown, currently principal at Grama Elementary School, will move to serve as the preschool principal. Courtney Lawson, previously assistant principal at Longfellow and a former Grant staffer, will become principal at Grant. Carla Bridal is identified as serving as a pupil services supervisor and is noted to live in the northern end of the district. Ashley Gert, who joins the district from DSC and has worked with the state support team, will take the role at Longfellow vacated by Lawson. Michelle Johnson resigned to accept an assistant principal/mentor position at her child’s school; the transcript states her resignation is shown under certified staff. Philip Kern is coming from Cleveland Public, and Amanda Zabel, previously a school psychologist and a Willowick resident, will move to assistant principal at Willowick Middle. The board also approved the recommendation for the incoming North High School principal, Mr. Puskas, who comes from Kirtland; Dr. Ward said the district will formally reintroduce him at the August board meeting.

The transcript shows formal approval votes recorded by roll call for items 3A and 3B: Miss Baer, Miss Miller, Miss Verdi, Miss Schatzman and Miss Menser voted "yes" on both items. The initial agenda approval earlier in the meeting was recorded as "here" by Miss Baer, Miss Miller and Miss Menser, producing a 3-0 affirmative for that procedural vote.

No amendments to the personnel recommendations were recorded in the public portion of the meeting. The motion to move into executive session specified the purpose as a discussion of the appointment and/or employment of a public official and indicated no action would follow the executive session; the meeting entered executive session at 5:52 p.m.

The personnel changes affect school leadership at multiple district schools and will be reflected in forthcoming personnel records and public meeting minutes. The board plans to reintroduce and publicly welcome the new North High School principal at the August meeting, according to Dr. Ward.