The North Royalton City Schools' Board of Education passed a resolution at its board meeting on March 9 to close the Early Childhood Center (ECC) and move Pre-K and Kindergarten to Albion Elementary, Royal View Elementary, and Valley Vista Elementary for the start of the 2015-16 school year.
The discussion was initiated after examining elementary level enrollment for the 2015-2016 school year and the number of retirements in the district. This in turn creates open classrooms that could accommodate the Kindergarten children at all three buildings and the Pre-K moving to Royal View Elementary, with the addition of a possible modular unit at Royal View Elementary.
The educational benefits of having the Pre-K and Kindergarten students return to our three elementary schools were a major factor in this decision. Driving factors in the decision-making process include:
* Students will have appropriate-sized classroom space for early childhood learning and also not have to transition out of one building to another at such an early age. Students will be in one building for five years, with the added benefit of being in a school environment surrounding by older peers and participating in all school assemblies and educational programs.
* Preschool and kindergarten students will be able to utilize the elementary school's technology and computer labs, as well as receive a more enriching opportunity for special classes such as art, music, and physical education in a gymnasium.
* There will be transportation improvements, such as reduced length of bus rides for preschool and kindergarten students, being able to ride the bus with siblings and consistent pick up/drop off times for families.
* Utilize the existing elementary food service program. All students will benefit from the full hot lunch program.
While the educational benefits are the driving force in this discussion, there is also a cost-savings of between $840,000 to $1.1 million to the district. With the elimination of rent, transportation costs, and other items, this move can have a significant financial savings for the district, but that is not the only reason for discussing this opportunity at this time. Even more importantly, it will solve the challenges of the Early Childhood Center's ability to deliver the highest educational experience possible for the district's youngest learners with no disruption to current programs and services.
I have been in discussion with Sam Alai, Mayor of the City of Broadview Heights and he understands and supports the move due to the positive educational benefits to the children. I want to personally thank Mayor Alai, Director of Economic Development Dave Schroedel and the entire City of Broadview Heights for their support of our students, staff and programs over the years. I know this relationship that we have developed will continue to grow in other positive ways as we work together to meet the needs of our students.
It is the responsibility of our administration and board to provide the highest quality education to all of our students, while at the same time be fiscally responsible to our residents. We believe the timing is right. The benefits to moving out of the ECC, which when started in 2003 was only supposed to be a temporary situation, and into the elementary buildings next year are numerous and the right decision.
Greg Gurka
Superintendent
North Royalton City Schools
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Table 1 compares our monthly operating receipts to the prior year actual for the first eight months of our fiscal year (July 2014 through February 2015). It further estimates our collection through our fiscal year end. You will notice two large collection points in our fiscal year which are July and February. These two months are considerably higher than the others due to real estate collection which represents over 70% of our revenues.
Table 2 compares our monthly operating expenditures to the prior year actual for the first eight months of our fiscal year (July 2014 through February 2015). It further estimates our expenditures through our fiscal year end. You will notice a consistent expenditure pattern throughout our fiscal year due to salaries and wages being budgeted throughout our fiscal year.
Table 3 illustrates the current actual cumulative monthly operating revenues and expenditures for the first eight months of our fiscal year (July 2014 through February 2015). It further estimates our cumulative revenues and expenditures through our fiscal year end. You will notice a gradual increase in both revenues and expenditures as we approach our fiscal year end where revenues and expenditures eventually meet.
Table 4 illustrates our fiscal year to date operating expenditures by category for the first eight months of our fiscal year (July 2014 through February 2015). Salary and Wages represent approximately 60%, Fringe Benefits 24%, Purchased Services 12%, Materials Supplies & Textbooks 3% and the combination of Capital Outlay and Operational Fees 1%.
LINKS to DISTRICT FINANCIALS:
Interested in reading more? District financial information such as our annual financial reports, forecasts, tax rates, etc. can be found by
clicking here.
Biagio Sidoti,
Treasurer
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Land Sale Confirmed
Roofing Projects to Begin this Summer
North Royalton City Schools will be addressing roofing issues at the North Royalton High School and Albion Elementary beginning this summer. The Board of Education approved awarding a contract to Industrial Energy Systems Inc. at its February 9 meeting. The work is scheduled to start as soon as school is out in June and is to be completed by early August 2015.
The district has a 10-year roof maintenance plan that lists and prioritizes more than 65 sections of roofs (totaling 653,121 sq. ft.) that need to be fixed on the six district-owned buildings. It would cost more than $6 million to complete those repairs. Because the district is engaging the community through the NRSD Community Engagement Task Force to examine the needs of all the facilities, the roof patches at Albion are limited and short-term. Roof repairs at the high school will only address three of the 10 roof sections that need work.
At North Royalton High School, parts of the roof that will be replaced are above the band and choir area, family and consumer science room, art room, and main office. Cost is estimated at $397,000.
At Albion Elementary, only areas of the roof that are leaking will be patched. Cost is estimated at $20,000.
Proceeds from the parcel of land on Edgerton Road that was recently sold will be used to offset the cost of this roofing project. The balance will come out of the permanent improvement fund.
The community will be kept updated on the progress.
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Announcing Teacher and Support Person of the Year
North Royalton City Schools has announced the Teacher of the Year and Support Staff Person of the Year and will recognize both individuals at the North Royalton Educational Foundation's reception on Thursday, April 30.
The Teacher of the Year is Paula Ross, an elementary teacher at Albion Elementary. She began her teaching career in the North Royalton School District in 1987 as a first grade teacher at Valley Vista Elementary. Beginning with the 1996 school year, Paula moved to Albion Elementary, where she continues today. Paula earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Baldwin Wallace College. She received her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Cleveland State University.
Paula has been involved in Safety Town, a Student Council club advisor, grade level representative, entry year consulting teacher and helped with bus duty. She also has been helpful in working through the implementation of Ohio Teacher Evaluation System. Two years ago, Paula was named as the Cleveland Chapter of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year at the elementary level.
"Paula is an exceptional teacher. Mathematics is her love and her strength. She is a leader in math instruction not only at her grade level but throughout Albion. She has led intervention instruction in math for our first grade students outside of the student day. She is consulted by her peers for instructional strategies. Paula, after 27 years in the district, continues to love her job. She provides for students individual needs while creating a climate of teamwork among her students. She has blended both the Art and Science of teaching, which is what makes her a wonderful example for North Royalton's Teacher of the Year," said Julie Bogden, Principal of Albion Elementary.
The Support Staff Person of the Year is Richard Hrin. Richard is a classroom aide in computer lab at Royal View Elementary.Richard started with the North Royalton City Schools as a substitute for two school years, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. He then became an aide in September 2005. "Richard is a valued employed, who is always helpful, kind, considerate and thorough," said Kirk Pavelich, Principal of Royal View Elementary. "He always has the best interest of the students and staff of Royal View Elementary at heart."
"Both Paula and Rich make a difference in the lives of those around them each and every day. They not only do a fantastic job at their daily duties, they also see the bigger picture and help out on a district level. They make North Royalton a great place to teacher and learn," said Greg Gurka, Superintendent of North Royalton City Schools.
________________________________________________ Royal View Elementary Families Gather to Celebrate 101st Birthday of Dr. Seuss
 On Monday, March 2, Royal View Elementary students and their families gathered to celebrate Dr. Seuss's 101st birthday and the importance of reading. Families were given a map of 14 classrooms where community members were anxiously waiting to read some of Dr. Seuss's most famous stories. "I get to read Green Eggs and Ham," said Superintendent Greg Gurka. "It was my favorite Dr. Seuss story when I was young." Officer Jon Karl, Councilman Paul Marnechek and other community members volunteered their time to read to the families. North Royalton High School's Key Club also helped with the evening's festivities. Administrative Intern Special Education Teacher Brittany Troyer spear-headed the Family Literacy Night Project along with Royal View's literacy team and Principal Kirk Pavelich. "This is a great way to promote literacy not only in school but at home as well," said Troyer. "We can show these students that community members like to read, too." Upon walking in the doors, families were greeted by the Cat in the Hat and given the opportunity to take a family photo. "We've had a great turn out tonight. The families are excited to be here and everyone's having fun," said Pavelich. "We are so pleased with the turnout." For 18 years, the National Education Association (NEA) has stressed the importance of reading through their program Read Across America. Every year on Dr. Seuss's birthday, schools across the country hold their own events to celebrate reading. This is the first year that Royal View has held the Family Literacy Night and is hoping it will continue to be a yearly event. Click here to see a video highlight.
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District Applies for Another Grant
 The district has applied for another grant. This time our Food Services Director Sue Rudolph submitted a grant for the "Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program." This federally assisted program provides free fresh fruits and vegetables to elementary students.
If we are accepted, we will receive $50-75/student for the school year for us to purchase fresh produce.
We will know by the end of the school year if we receive the funds.
Other Useful Links for you . . .
to read the North Royalton City School District's Quality Profile.
to read the Winter 2014 North Royalton "Bear Way" magazine.
Click here
for the NR Board of Education meeting minutes and agendas.
Click here for meeting dates for 2015.
for a snapshot of our Ohio Department of Education Local Report Card.
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