Garfield Heights School Board Farewells, Maple Leaf Progress, United Athletic Conference

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GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Garfield Heights school board closed out 2025 with an emotional December 15 regular meeting at Maple Leaf Elementary, saying goodbye to two veteran board members while celebrating Maple Leaf’s academic growth, approving a new strategic plan, and joining a new regional athletic conference.

Board Bids Farewell to Dr. Millette King and Nichelle Daniels

Board President Dr. Millette King, M.Ed., L.S.W., and member Nichelle N. Daniels attended their final Garfield Heights school board meeting, each honored with a formal commendation resolution.

• Resolution 2025-60 recognized Dr. King for her steady leadership as board president, her student‑centered focus, and her role in helping guide meetings, agenda setting, and governance.
• Resolution 2025-61 honored Mrs. Daniels for her years of service, her advocacy for students and families, and her work on policies tied to student achievement, fiscal responsibility, and accountability.

Dr. King used her final board president’s report to thank Maple Leaf staff and students for hosting, to wish the community a safe and joyous holiday season, and to reflect on her tenure. She highlighted:

• Helping author two strategic plans during her time in office.
• Passage of a levy that keeps the district solvent in the short term.
• The district’s move to a three‑star rating on the state report card.

She said she hopes the district is “better than when I first became a board member” and expressed confidence that Garfield Heights’ best days are still ahead.

Mrs. Daniels spoke emotionally about stepping away from the board to focus on family, thanking her loved ones for “serving alongside me” and making room for her to give the district “my whole heart.” She also thanked fellow board members, Superintendent Dr. Richard D. Reynolds, and Treasurer/CFO Phillip Oko, MBA for their shared commitment to students.

Dr. Reynolds praised both leaders for their impact, calling them trailblazers and “status disruptors” in service of the community. He also congratulated Dr. King on a recent graduation milestone celebrated the prior weekend.

Two newly elected board members will be sworn in at the January 5, 2026 organizational meeting at 6 p.m. at the Board of Education office.

Maple Leaf Elementary Highlights Growth, Attendance Gains

Maple Leaf Principal Mike Freilino and Assistant Principal Shayla Ivezzy presented an in‑depth report on the school’s academic performance, student supports, and community engagement.

On the most recent state report card, Maple Leaf contributed to the district’s overall three‑star rating with:

• Two stars in Achievement
• Three stars in Progress
• Two stars in Gap Closing

A key metric, the performance index, climbed from 56.3 two years ago to 60.1 last year, reflecting overall academic growth.

While fourth- and fifth‑grade ELA scores dipped, Freilino said staff responded with a 40‑minute daily WIN (“What I Need”) block, where students are flexibly grouped across teachers for targeted skill work. Groups are reassessed every two weeks to keep instruction aligned with student needs.

Maple Leaf showed steady growth in math, with students in both grades exceeding expected progress. Science scores have risen sharply since 2023, though growth was mixed between cohorts.

A growth‑over‑time chart showed fewer students in the lowest “limited” category and more students moving into “basic,” “proficient,” and advanced levels. A new “advanced plus” category appeared last year, indicating some students are being pushed to even higher achievement.

The building also earned the PBIS Gold Award for a second consecutive year, which Freilino noted will be the last year the state recognizes PBIS tiers.

Attendance Efforts Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

Maple Leaf reported significant progress on attendance:

• 2023 chronic absenteeism: 47%
• Last year: 42.2%
• Current year to date: 32%

Freilino credited:

• The district’s “Stay in the Game” partnership with the Cleveland Browns and a dedicated Browns room as an incentive.
• Weekly and monthly raffles for students with strong attendance.
• Consistent messaging in the cafeteria, over morning/afternoon announcements, and in his weekly newsletters, which now include the school’s current chronic absenteeism rate.
• Regular public recognition of students with perfect weekly attendance.

Maple Leaf’s guidance and family engagement work has expanded through a partnership with Communities In Schools, as well as a growing food pantry and clothing closet operated out of the building. Freilino described how a student recently came forward seeking food, underscoring the importance of having visible, accessible supports.

Other Maple Leaf highlights included:

• A motivational assembly featuring former Ohio State and NFL quarterback Cardale Jones through the “Pledge to Be Present” initiative.
• Ongoing work to develop a partnership with CareSource around the CANS (Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths) program to connect families with resources.
• Weekly “lunch bunch” groups focused on teamwork, empathy, communication, and conflict resolution.
• K‑Kids community service projects, including recognizing security and crossing guards, and helping sort a large toy donation for Winterfest.
• An annual Penny Wars fundraiser that raised more than $600 for Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital, later matched by the hospital to total about $1,200. Student leaders visited the clinic and appeared on a live radio broadcast to present the donation.
• Experiences for exceptional learners at Fieldstone Farm, where students—including one who uses a wheelchair—gained confidence working with and riding horses.
• Gifted education activities, including a NASA career day, a spooky story writing contest tied to a local author visit, a fourth‑grade poetry slam, and work on a student‑run website connected to the school’s site.

Maple Leaf students also benefit from district‑supported field trips to Hale Farm, CanalWay Center, Brecksville Nature Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, as well as after‑school bucket drumming, art club, a schoolwide spelling bee, and participation in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. The building will host Bulldog Winterfest on Thursday, December 18.

Board members thanked Freilino and his team, noting the clear growth trends and range of enrichment opportunities for students.

Strategic Plan And Board Business Move District Forward

The Garfield Heights school board unanimously approved Resolution 2025‑54, adopting a new district strategic plan. Mrs. Daniels publicly thanked community members who helped frame the plan’s priorities for the coming years.

Other key actions:

• Approved minutes from the November 10 regular meeting and November 24 special meeting.
• Set February 7, 2026 as the date for a board retreat.
• Approved Resolution 2025‑59, setting January 5, 2026 at 6 p.m. as the organizational meeting at the Board of Education office.

Under Superintendent recommendations, the board acted on a wide range of personnel items, including:

• Certified contracts for long‑term substitutes Erin Kelley, C’Monique Martin, Keith Abernathy, and Sade Doss.
• A leave of absence for high school intervention specialist Nicole Sharp.
• The retirement of longtime high school music teacher Stephen Pernod, effective June 4, 2025.
• The resignation of intervention specialist Darby Musselman.
• Classified changes including a new bus driver, leaves of absence for housekeeping, security, and bus aide staff, and the retirement of instructional assistant Mariann Bucci.
• The retirement and rehire timeline for Operations Manager Garry Moore, who will continue through June 30, 2026, and then retire effective July 1, 2026.
• An exempt leave of absence for Central Office administrative assistant Rosemary Armelli.
• A retire‑rehire resolution for an exempt non‑teaching employee.
• Supplemental contracts for activities including Bulldog Express, Academic Club, Parent University Liaison, districtwide Event Manager, high school Bulldog Express advisors, and middle school boys basketball coach Levert Cox.
• A resident educator mentor assignment for Jacquelin Brennan.

Garfield Heights School Board Approves Financial Recovery Plan, Stability Measures

Treasurer/CFO Phillip Oko told the Garfield Heights school board the district is now running one of its best budgets in three years, following a difficult financial period and a recovery plan adopted in May 2024.

Key financial points:

• The district has implemented substantial cost‑saving measures while maintaining core academic priorities.
• About 27% of federal grant funds have been expended and reimbursed midway through the fiscal year, which Oko said is on pace.
• The successful renewal levy, which represents roughly 12% of operating revenue, is giving the district the stability needed to maintain programs without shifting more costs to families.

The board approved:

• The November 2025 financial reports.
• Resolution 2025‑52, transferring $100,000 into the district’s 300 student‑managed activity fund, supporting athletics, band, Music Express, and other student programs without raising participation fees mid‑year.
• Resolution 2025‑53, updating the district’s Financial Recovery Plan, which is intended to keep state oversight at bay while giving future leadership a sustainable roadmap.

District Joins United Athletic Conference, Adds Student Supports And Arts Partnerships

In other action, the Garfield Heights school board:

• Approved Resolution 2025‑50 to join the new United Athletic Conference, which will include traditional sports as well as newer offerings like esports and debate. Some activities are expected to begin as soon as January.
• Approved contracts with Pro Care Therapy and EDU Healthcare to support student services.
• Approved a $12,500 partnership with Mojuba! Dance Collective for “Motown: The Sound of Black Excellence,” a six‑week interdisciplinary program culminating in a district‑wide event, “Motown: A Legacy in Motion.”
• Approved a $2,500 agreement with P.A.L.S. for Healing to provide an eight‑week, art‑therapy‑based grief support group at the high school for students who have lost a loved one.
• Adopted Resolution 2025‑51, approving a School Resource Officer (SRO) memorandum of understanding with the City of Garfield Heights.
• Approved three Loudermill discipline resolutions authorizing unpaid suspensions for classified employees.

Looking ahead, Dr. Reynolds reminded families that winter break begins Monday, December 22, runs through Friday, January 2, and that classes resume Monday, January 5, 2026. He wished the community a safe and enjoyable holiday season.