Superintendent updates council on district vision

by Laura Bednar

Jan. 14 city council meeting

To kick off the first Independence city council meeting of the year, Independence Local Schools Superintendent Kelli Cogan updated lawmakers on her work since taking her position in August. 

Cogan said her goal is to have other school districts look to Independence as an example. She created a strategic vision committee made up of school board members, staff, students and community members, who decided on a vision statement for the school: “Cultivating a legacy of excellence.”

The group is working on creating belief statements and goals that align with the vision. Members will present their ideas at the February board of education meeting. 

A “key communicators” group made up of people in the community, many of whom have leadership roles, meets four times a year to learn the latest school news. Cogan said the first meeting focused on school vouchers, finances and student retention. The hope is that those who are prominent in the community will share the information.

Cogan also meets with students in fifth through 12th grade once a quarter to hear students’ thoughts and suggestions. 

Cogan noted that school facilities are still an issue, and she is discussing scenarios for renovation, new buildings and levies with the school board. “Is the Independence school district making do with our facilities? We are. Do they [students] deserve better? I would probably say yes,” she said.

The district is in the process of hiring an outside firm to assess in the spring the condition and renovation costs of the primary and middle school buildings. This was last done in 2017, according to Cogan.

City purchases

Council approved several purchases, including a new Ford 2023 electric cargo van for the recreation department. Recreation Director Tom Walchanowicz said the van will replace the department’s current 1997 van, which is used to transport chairs, tables and equipment between city buildings.

The new van is a 2023 model but was never titled, according to Walchanowicz. It will be charged in the city’s maintenance garage. The cost of the van and upgrades to the interior for cargo carrying is $51,215. Walchanowicz said the gas version of the van would have been just over $65,000 with upgrades. He said the city may be eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit for purchasing electric.

The community services department hired Messina Floor Covering to replace the carpet in the Civic Center banquet room, banquet room hallways and Willow Room for $53,400. Community Services Director Emily Thomas said the purchase is budgeted in the city’s five-year capital plan and the carpet has a lifespan of up to 20 years.

Other purchases included:

• Up to $48,800 to Fairsite Technologies for IT services.
• Up to $34,580 to Geocentric Consulting to manage and develop the city’s geographic information system plan and maps.
• $75,000 salary to William (Bud) Doyle as city prosecutor.
• Approving the hourly wages for legal services from Taft, Stettinius & Hollister at $375 for law director and Taft partners, $350 for Taft associates and $275 for paralegals.

Community news

Police officer Brian Dalton was authorized to keep his badge and firearm upon retirement after 31 years of service to the city. His assignments included bike patrol, field training officer, tactical operator on the SWAT team, detective, Mobile Field Force and Caribbean Task Force member.The city entered into an agreement with Brecksville in connection with Brecksville’s resurfacing of state Route 21. Mayor Greg Kurtz said the portion of the road between Route 82 and Sprague Road will be repaved. A small section is within Independence city limits near Sprague Road. Independence will pay $30,000 to cover the cost of resurfacing approximately 50-60 feet of road.