Online platform allows parents, schools to communicate

by Laura Bednar

May 19 board of education meeting

Nordonia Hills City Schools will be streamlining communication through a platform called ParentSquare, which Superintendent Casey Wright said is part of the district’s strategic plan.

“We heard a lot from our community that we were communicating in a lot of different ways,” said Wright, citing social media, emails, texts and phone calls.

All communication platforms for the district’s six schools will now be filtered through ParentSquare, which allows the district to continue using its various mediums while communicating individually with parents or groups of parents, depending on the school or situation.

Wright explained that parents can communicate back and forth with a teacher through ParentSquare, which he said is safer than through social media.

“Most schools in Northeast Ohio are now adopting this,” said Wright, adding that it’s cheaper to move all communication to one platform. It will cost the district $14,328 annually.

Recognition

Tina Ludwig, northeast regional liaison from the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, presented Nordonia with the Auditor of State Award with distinction. The award is given to local governments and school districts that complete a financial audit that meets the state’s criteria for a “clean” audit report. Only 4% of the auditor’s 6,000 clients receive this award, according to Ludwig.

The middle school and high school Science Olympiad teams were state qualifiers for the fourth year in a row. Science Olympiad is a nationwide program in which students compete in hands-on STEM activities to learn leadership and problem-solving skills while bringing science to life.

Family cap

After seeing success with lowering the family cap on pay-to-participate fees in June 2025, the board extended the cap to winter sports, including winter color guard, winter drum line and grades 9-12 choir, starting next school year.

Last year, the cap was lowered from an initial suggestion of $840 to $700 for students participating in high school athletics, middle school athletics and marching band. Treasurer Kyle Kiffer said as of May 2026, 40 families, or 86% of those whose children participate in athletics or marching band reached the cap. “This [the cap] has increased participation, specifically in our spring sports,” said Kiffer.

Retirees

Principals from three schools recognized retiring teachers. From Nordonia High School, Josh Davis, who taught economics, U.S. History, AP Psychology, world culture, sociology and contemporary issues, is retiring after 35 years in the district. Dr. Endre Szentkiralyi is retiring after 28 years in the district, where he taught German and college composition at the high school and took students on international trips.

From Northfield Elementary, music teacher Melodie Kopac is retiring after 31 years at the school. From Rushwood Elementary, paraprofessional Patty Schillero and second grade teacher Mary Ann Dunn, who taught for 36 years in the district, are retiring.