Akron.com

Norton district seeks parental input on fall classes



Norton City Schools Superintendent Dana Addis announced during the July 13 Board of Education meeting a reopening plan for students and staff is nearing completion and will be released to parents in early August, along with a survey that asks them to commit if their child or children will attend school physically or via the district’s online Google Classroom remote learning option.
“We feel as if this plan will hopefully answer every question that our staff members, our students and our community has,” he said. “We were guided by health professionals on this.”
Addis added the results of the survey will be used to determine social distancing and other back-to-school plans. He also noted the district has completed its disinfectant protocols and remote learning program and is working with the Norton Kiwanis as a personal protection equipment resource for the schools.
In other business, the board approved refinancing two school improvement bonds, which Treasurer Stephanie Hagenbush said would save Norton taxpayers almost $2.7 million in total.
The board also approved:
• a contract with Northeast Ohio Network as an educational technology service provider VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2023;
• an overnight trip for middle school students to go to Washington, D.C., March 30 to April 1. Addis stated this trip would be re-evaluated in the month prior to it;
• the retirements of Joyce Gerber, middle school principal, effective July 31; Cris Yocum, vehicle mechanic, effective July 3; Travis Dobbins, middle school football coach, effective June 24; and William Adair, middle school assistant football coach, effective June 24;
• administrative contracts for Travis Dobbins as the new middle school principal from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2021; Dennis Oswald as middle school assistant principal effective Aug. 1 through July 31, 2022; and Tricia Ebner as elementary school assistant principal from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2021; and
• coach supplemental positions for the 2020-21 school year, including Russ Currington as middle school assistant football coach; Mike Dyer as high school assistant boys soccer coach; and Nick Weaver as middle school football volunteer.
The board also adjourned into executive session to discuss the employment of personnel, with no action taken afterward.
The next board meeting is set for Aug. 10 beginning at 6 p.m. with committee meetings, followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m., conducted remotely. For information to connect to the meeting virtually, visit www.nortonschools.org.