North Ridgeville City Board honors 10 retiring staff members

The North Ridgeville City Board of Education recognized 10 staff members who are retiring this year during its May 20, 2025 regular meeting.

The district superintendent opened the ceremony by listing retirements and thanking employees for their service, saying, “You will always be a part of the Ranger family.” The retirees named in the presentation include Janet Bruce (head cashier at Ranger High-tech Academy), Mary Vorpahl (paraprofessional at Liberty Elementary), Richard Hogue (bus driver), Jean Nagy (fifth-grade teacher at NRAC), Joyce Sherrill (bus driver), Jody Oxheimer (high school chemistry teacher), Robin Veil (paraprofessional and lunchroom monitor), Jim Brandenburg (teacher and technology integration specialist), Kelly Kajala (fourth-grade teacher at the academic center), and Joe Mueller (recent high school principal).

The superintendent told the board the group amounts to 153 years of service to North Ridgeville City Schools and 234 years of service to public education. Several retirees’ employment histories and start dates were read aloud: Janet Bruce will retire June 1 after joining the district in January 2020 and retiring with over 17 years of service credited through SERS; Mary Vorpahl began working for the district as a substitute in 1992 and served as a full‑time instructional aide at Liberty since 2006; Jean Nagy joined the district in July 2013 after serving as a certified substitute since 2010; Joyce Sherrill began driving for the district in January 2014; Jim Brandenburg retires July 1 after a 42‑year career with the district that began in 1983; and Joe Mueller concludes a 50‑year career in education after three years as the district’s high school principal.

Board members and guests offered congratulations and the ceremony included a brief photo intermission for families and retirees.

The recognition was a ceremonial item on the agenda; no board vote or policy action was required or taken on these retirements.