Maple Heights schools open year with new leaders, convocation and community rally planned

Superintendent Dela Flora told the Maple Heights City School Board on Aug. 11 that the district held its opening convocation and first staff day and will host a community back-to-school rally on Aug. 16.

The convocation, held at Maple Heights High School, included remarks from union presidents, Mike Mazurkiewicz of the Maple Alumni Association and representatives from the Values in Action Foundation and Kyneland, who provided videography for a promotional video. "Today was our first day back with staff. We had our opening convocation this morning at the high school," Dela Flora said.

Dela Flora said the district will run building-level professional development all week and that the public may preview a new student homework center and a student wellness center at the Saturday rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. She outlined the first days of school: a staggered “transition day” on Monday, Aug. 18 for kindergarten, second, fourth, sixth and ninth grades to acclimate students to buildings, followed by a full first day for all students on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The superintendent introduced three administrators who formally addressed the board. Meredith Youngins (introduced in the meeting as Meredith Yonkins) will serve as early childhood assistant principal at Abraham Lincoln School with responsibilities that include preschool coordination, Step Up To Quality compliance and preschool special education support. "I will be at Abraham Lincoln. I feel like a large part of my role will be preschool coordination," Youngins said.

Dr. Adonis Bolden (identified in the meeting as doctor Bolden) was introduced as the new principal at Maple Heights High School. "It's a pleasure and a privilege to be here. I'm excited for the year to begin," Dr. Bolden told the board.

Josh Frazier, the district's new director of athletics and extracurricular activities, also introduced himself and thanked central office staff for onboarding support. "I'm looking forward to working with the student athletes and our coaches this year, and continuing the rich tradition of excellence in, Maple Heights athletics," Frazier said.

Why it matters: the board heard operational details that affect families and staff before school starts, including staffing of preschool and school-level leadership changes that shape building operations and student supports. The new administrators will be the primary daily leaders at the schools where students and parents interact most directly.

Board action: Dela Flora concluded her report and no formal vote was required to introduce personnel. Other agenda items that followed included several contracts and agreements and a consent calendar that the board voted on later in the meeting.

Looking ahead: the district plans to open school Aug. 19 for all students after transition day on Aug. 18; the back-to-school rally and the new student centers will be open to the public on Aug. 16.