Board selects new CVCC representative

by Laura Bednar

Aug. 26 special board of education meeting

The Independence Board of Education chose a new appointee to represent the school district on the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center School Board, following the death of former rep Russell Fortlage.

Board members unanimously approved Linda O’Neil for the position. She is a 37-year resident of Independence and was recommended by board member Lynne Laski. Superintendent Kelli Cogan said she and Assistant Superintendent Tom Dreiling interviewed her before she met with CVCC Superintendent Dave Mangas.

O’Neil worked in the Bedford School District for 40 years as a classroom teacher, reading specialist and assistant superintendent, where she reviewed curriculum. She also worked with the Summit County Educational Service Center.

“She has a deep passion for career technology,” said Cogan, adding that O’Neil will give monthly CVCC updates at Independence board meetings.

Once the career center board approves O’Neil’s appointment, she will begin a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2026.

District projects

Dreiling gave an update on several district projects, starting with the wrestling room, located in the middle school. He said installation of new lighting is complete, but new mats, with a lead time of 8-10 months, have not arrived. The district is ready to advertise for bids to replace wrestling room windows.

Dreiling said there was damage from Aug. 8 storms and tornado touchdowns to the district’s Land Lab, an outdoor education center near the end of Stone Road. Fallen trees damaged a pavilion and the observation deck. Dreiling said there is a $5,000 insurance deductible to clear the trees, and he is meeting with a contractor to discuss repairs.

At the middle school, two rooftop HVAC units were replaced for $19,100. They had been damaged from a storm last year.

The Independence Athletic Boosters donated money to purchase a new scoreboard for the middle school gymnasium. The district will pay $3,200 to have it installed and to remove the two existing scoreboards.

The PTO donated a greenhouse to the primary school as a learning space. The district will provide a concrete base for the greenhouse.

Finances

Board members approved a contract with the classified employees (non-teaching) union to offer retired district bus drivers higher pay to retain them.

Treasurer Jennifer Knapp said the district’s cash balance for July is the lowest for that month in five years. However, she said the district’s tax settlement money coming in August is probably more than usual.

Purchased services were higher than anticipated, and Knapp said she and Cogan would continue to review the budget. Board President Tony Avila asked when the district will know if it received additional revenue based on the recent Cuyahoga County home valuation increases. Knapp said she wouldn’t know the final values and amounts until November. ∞