Nordonia Hills board adopts personnel contracts, hears superintendent’s 25-year facilities plan and unveils new logo

Nordonia Hills City — At a regular meeting Aug. 25, 2025, the Nordonia Hills City School Board heard Superintendent Wright outline five goals for the year, including a proposed 25-year facilities master plan, and approved a slate of personnel hires, service agreements and routine consent items.

Wright presented goals he said will guide district work and accountability over the coming year, including a facilities master plan to sequence possible bond work and other projects over 25 years; expanded communications to reach residents without school-age children; continued community engagement; an instructional focus on professional learning communities and intervention; and an annual growth goal for his own professional development. "Our goal would be to bring you something in January that laid out all the work that historically the district's done to get to this point," Wright said, describing the master plan timeline and the intent to attach KPIs to each goal.

The board also heard treasurer Kyle outline office priorities: an expanded treasurer's office manual, work to onboard new auditors and produce an annual comprehensive financial report, automation of recurring notices using the district ERP system, and an updated popular annual financial report geared to community readability.

The board voted to approve multiple consent items and contracts. Recorded approvals at the meeting included: a donated automated external defibrillator (AED) for the band from parent donors Sabrina and Mark Pines; a resolution declaring transportation to a private school impractical (to authorize payment in lieu of transportation); continuation of a contract with the district’s physical-therapy provider under its new name, Atlas Edge Therapy; Title I-funded hires for 2025–26; adoption of College Board AP Research and AP Seminar exam fees for the year; approval of the district’s gifted brochure for 2025–26; a memorandum of understanding with the University of Cincinnati for a College Credit Plus course for a Nordonia student; and routine certified and classified personnel items. Roll calls recorded affirmative votes by board members present on these items.

The board also confirmed a calendar change: the November board meeting was moved to the Monday before Thanksgiving. The board approved the agenda and the motion to amend the board calendar earlier in the meeting.

On branding, district staff member Keyshawn presented a short video and the new district logo, explaining design elements including a shield and a forward-facing knight intended to symbolize protection, unity and leadership. "Tonight, I am truly excited to share with you the new logo for the Nordonia Hills City School District," Keyshawn said. Wright said the district will phase in the new mark as materials and stock are replaced over time to limit immediate expense.

Personnel introductions followed: administrators Carrie Hutchinson and Todd Seward introduced a group of newly hired teachers and intervention specialists, naming John Clegg, Joe Callahan, Jen Rao, Caitlin Purifoy, Jasmine Thomas, Brandy Wentz, Chloe Kramer and several others who will fill intervention and classroom roles across district buildings.

During the open forum, Judge Cynthia Curtin of Stowe Municipal Court introduced herself and offered to provide free classroom presentations about the life consequences of criminal convictions, including license suspensions and limits on expungement. "I am available to talk to any middle school or high school class and talk about these life consequences," Judge Curtin said.

Committee reports included an August update from the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (CVCC), which announced a completed 50-foot outdoor telecommunications training tower and promoted a college-night event Oct. 2. The Nordonia Schools Foundation reported roughly $18,000 raised at its recent golf fundraiser and named building ambassadors for the coming year. The fact committee reported the district’s $700 cap on family sports and band fees and noted that recent state budget changes (House Bill 96) are altering the five-year forecast process for treasurers; treasurer Kyle explained the forecast now requires a shorter forecast cycle and an initial transition submission by Oct. 15 for fiscal 2026.

Board business also included appointment of an Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA) delegate and alternate for the association’s delegate assembly; board members volunteered to serve as delegate and alternate and the board approved those appointments.

No ordinance, tax levy or other controversial measure was adopted at the meeting. Several approvals were routine or consumptive (personnel, fees, contracts) and recorded by roll call. The meeting adjourned with the board scheduling its next regular session for a September meeting date listed on the district calendar.

Votes at a glance - Motion to amend the agenda and move the November board meeting to the Monday before Thanksgiving — approved by roll call (members present recorded as voting yes). - Approval of consent items including AED donation and transportation impractical resolution — approved by roll call. - Approval of agreement with Atlas Edge Therapy (renamed provider) — approved by roll call. - Approval of Title I-funded hires for 2025–26 — approved by roll call. - Adoption of AP Research and AP Seminar exam fees — approved by roll call. - Approval of gifted brochure for 2025–26 — approved by roll call. - Approval of University of Cincinnati College Credit Plus memorandum of understanding — approved by roll call. - Certified and classified personnel hires and assignments (including intervention specialists and ESL translator stipend) — approved by roll call.

What this means The superintendent’s stated intention to produce a 25-year facilities master plan will guide district conversations about facility needs and potential future bond timing; the treasurer’s work to adapt forecasting and reporting to House Bill 96 changes will require earlier internal forecasting and communication with the board. The personnel approvals fill required special-education and classroom positions and reflect Title I funding timing issues noted in the meeting (federal funds were released after a roughly 45-day hold that delayed hiring). The new logo will be phased in to avoid one-time replacement costs.

Next steps The district will expect a facilities master-plan draft in January, per the superintendent’s presentation, and the treasurer will submit transition forecast materials required under the biennial budget changes. The board’s next regular meeting is listed on the district calendar for September.