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East Cleveland board elects Mary Rice president, Stephanie Stem Walls vice president; assigns committees
Summary
At its Jan. 13 organizational meeting the East Cleveland board elected Dr. Mary Rice as president and Stephanie Stem Walls as vice president, swore in newly appointed member Mary Sanders, confirmed committee chairs and approved several routine resolutions including OSBA membership.
The East Cleveland City School District Board of Education on Jan. 13 held its organizational meeting, unanimously electing Dr. Mary Rice as president and Stephanie Stem Walls as vice president and administering oaths to newly elected officers and the newly appointed board member Mary Sanders.
The board confirmed committee leadership: Building & Grounds (Chair Vernon Robinson, co-chair Dr. Rice), Education (Chair Demar/Stephanie Walls, co-chair Dr. Rice), Finance (Chair Shireen Fountain, co-chair Vernon Robinson), and Welfare & Public Relations (Chair Mary Sanders, co-chair Stephanie Stem Walls). The board also appointed a delegate and alternate to the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA).
During the meeting the board approved several routine resolutions by unanimous roll call, including acceptance of the November financial report, approval of the alternative tax budget for FY 2025'26, OSBA membership for 2025 and a Cuyahoga County educational service agreement. The superintendent also presented recommended staff appointments and professional leaves, which the board approved.
The superintendent, Dr. Pedigrew, raised the budgetary limit on board professional development: "The state law requires $20,000 for the board of education that you could spend for professional development and travel each year," he said, noting estimated conference costs of about $3,133 per attendee and that early-bird registration reduced the registration fee to $950 but is nonrefundable.
In public comment, community member Dr. Mary Rice Harris asked the board to provide 20 printed copies of the meeting agenda and the prior meeting's minutes at board meetings so taxpayers have in-person access to materials.
The board adjourned after routine business and brief member remarks; several members exchanged congratulations and took photographs with family following the oaths.
