Akron.com

Norton district participating in food program



During the May 13 meeting, Norton City Schools Board of Education President Jennifer Bennett announced the district is participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.
The program provides high-quality, locally grown produce delivered on a consistent basis and allows schools to use USDA Foods entitlement dollars to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, according to district officials.
Judy Johnsen, food service supervisor for Norton City Schools, submitted an application for the program. The application was approved for the 2019-20 school year, and the district received its first delivery of produce in March. It included clementines, broccoli and grapefruit, according to district officials. Johnsen will transfer $10,000 from her USDA Foods entitlement dollars for the further purchasing of produce, according to district officials.
Also during the meeting, Superintendent Dana Addis acknowledged the retirement of bus driver Janet Weber, who has worked for the district for 40 years. Weber acknowledged how much she enjoyed her work.
“They’re my family,” said Weber, referring to the students she met over the years. “You get them in your heart and you can’t let go.”
Over the course of the meeting the board approved:
• a negotiated agreement between the Norton Classroom Teachers Association (NCTA) and the board, which was ratified by the NCTA April 25. The agreement will be in effect from July 1 through June 30, 2021;
• in lieu of transportation reimbursement for the 2018-19 school year that will issue a refund of $250 to 48 students;
• the Middle, Elementary and Primary schools’ roof contracts to Mid-Ohio Roofing for $451,500;
• school lunch prices for the 2019-20 school year. The prices will increase 10 cents from the 2018-19 school year;
• the list of graduates for the Class of 2019 contingent upon their completion of graduation requirements for the 2018-19 school year;
• a donation of $13,500 for the Thomas Bird Scholarships for nine graduating seniors, with each student receiving $1,500, donated by an anonymous donor;
• a donation of $1,000 from Ralph Dowling for the Norton Key Club; and
• a one-year contract for Megan Saurer as a high school math teacher. Saurer has a bachelor’s degree from Westminster College and teaching certification in adolescence to young adults and integrated mathematics from Pima Community College.
The board also recognized the following students of the month: Kamden Beres, of Norton Primary School; Matthina Johnson, of Norton Elementary; James Hornyak, of Norton Middle School; Jillian Pletcher, of Norton High School; and Hailey Silket, of Norton High School/Four Cities Compact.
The next regular board meeting will be June 10 beginning at 6 p.m. with committee meetings, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m., in the Panther Room at Norton Middle School, 4108 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road.