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South Euclid-Lyndhurst board elects Cassandra Jones president; approves annual authorizations, personnel moves
Summary
At its Jan. 7 organizational meeting, the South Euclid-Lyndhurst Board of Education elected Cassandra Jones as board president, named Ernesto Shelby vice president, approved a package of annual administrative authorizations, adopted the 2025–26 school calendar and approved several personnel actions including a promotion at Brush High School.
The South Euclid-Lyndhurst Board of Education elected Cassandra Jones as board president and approved a set of annual administrative authorizations, personnel appointments and the 2025–26 school calendar during its organizational meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
The actions set routine authorities for district operations, confirmed liaison assignments and advanced personnel changes, including a staff reassignment at Brush High School.
Jones was nominated from the floor and approved by roll call. After taking the oath of office, Board President Cassandra Jones thanked fellow board members for their support, saying, "I do thank my fellow board members for believing in me. A lot of times when I don't believe in myself... I appreciate the work we do here." Ernesto Shelby was elected vice president and also took the oath.
The board approved the 2025 regular and special meeting schedule, including a change of start time to 6 p.m. The board also approved an annual package of administrative authorizations covering the district service fund, treasurer's resolution, purchasing and contract-signing authority, authorization to pay bills, invest funds, and authorizations allowing the superintendent to hire staff and accept resignations between board meetings. The package included approval for stipends, overnight field trips related to OHSAA contests, OSBA membership, and special education placements. Those items were approved by roll call.
The board approved two items on legal counsel: authorization to retain general board legal counsel and separate counsel for board of revision hearings, with the district noting it has worked with the firm Brinza, McIntyre and Seed for county revision hearings.
Members approved adjustments tied to recent state and federal guidance: the district authorized payroll for the updated Ohio minimum wage (noted in the meeting as an increase from $10.45 to $10.70 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2025) and updated the mileage reimbursement rate to match the IRS change from $0.67 to $0.70 per mile, also effective Jan. 1, 2025. The board approved revised substitute pay rates (the substitute-pay schedule is included in the minutes rather than the meeting packet).
On personnel matters, the board approved multiple certified and non-certified personnel items. The board approved a hire and several leaves and accepted two resignations. In nonrepresented staff business the board approved a change of assignment promoting Eddie Hall to an enhanced role as associate principal at Brush High School pending the usual administrative confirmation. Superintendent Kaple described Hall as "a dedicated leader" and outlined that Hall plans to focus on strengthening school culture, bolstering academic and behavioral supports, and improving operational efficiency. Board members offered praise during the meeting, with one noting teachers' positive reactions to Hall's work.
The board approved financial items for month-end December 2024, including financial reports, bank reconciliation and investment earnings, and also adopted the tax budget for fiscal year 2026. The board approved a technical revision to the district's Ohio Section 457 plan so language in employment contracts and the plan align with the vendor/plan used by the district.
In curriculum-related business the board approved the revised 2025–26 school-year calendar. District staff described the calendar changes as the result of collaboration with PTA representatives, families and staff and said continuous-improvement days were moved to align with holidays to make planning easier for families while retaining professional development time for staff.
Board members recognized January as Board Appreciation Month and accepted a donation noted in the financial report. The meeting also included a moment of remembrance: the board learned that former teacher Matt Rutkowski died Dec. 27 after a tree-cutting accident; members expressed condolences for his family.
Superintendent Kaple reminded the public that a Jan. 21 work session with Russ Bennett of the Educational Service Center to finalize the board handbook, vision, roles and goals is open to the public but will not be broadcast. The meeting adjourned following the regular-business items.
Votes at a glance: the board approved (by roll call) the election of Cassandra Jones as board president and Ernesto Shelby as vice president; the 2025 meeting schedule; annual administrative authorizations (items 4.1–4.11); liaison appointments; legal counsel authorizations; updates to minimum wage and mileage rates; substitute-pay authorizations; December 2024 financial reports and the FY2026 tax budget; certified and noncertified personnel actions including the Eddie Hall assignment; supplemental contracts; the revised 2025–26 calendar; and revisions to the district's Section 457 plan.
