Nordonia Board of Education Meeting: Rushwood Leadership, New Personnel, and Financial Updates

MACEDONIA, Ohio – The Nordonia Hills City School District Board of Education held its regular meeting on April 28, 2026, marking a significant transition point for the district as it prepares for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. The meeting featured a heartwarming presentation from Rushwood Elementary students, the official introduction of new leadership staff, and a deep dive into legislative shifts affecting Ohio schools. Rushwood Student Leadership and Community Impact The meeting opened with a presentation from the Rushwood Student Leadership Group , led by advisor Renee Piper . The group, comprised of approximately 20 third and fourth graders, highlighted their year of service and leadership development. Foster Care Support: Through their “Pajama Jam” fundraiser, the students raised over $500, which allowed them to take a shopping trip to Target to purchase 30 pairs of new pajamas for children in foster care through Dawn’s Early Light . Environmental Education: Members from the Summit Soil and Water Conservation visited the students to demonstrate the impact of pollutants and fertilizers on local resources. Local Outreach: Students visited nursing homes for holiday caroling and purchased snacks and fruit cups for the Emergency Assistance Center . Principal Turner praised the group for their initiative, noting that the program gives younger students a platform to represent their peers and contribute positively to the Nordonia Hills community. New Leadership: Football Coach and Assistant Principal Superintendent Casey Wright announced two major personnel appointments that will shape the district’s athletic and academic future. Ronald “Chris” Wiggins was approved as the new Assistant Principal for Nordonia Middle School . Wiggins, a local resident with children in the district, was selected from a pool of 75 applicants. During his introduction, Wiggins emphasized his commitment to integrity and community service, sharing that his own son felt he could “finally be himself” after moving to the district. The Board also officially approved Mr. Bar Woody (identified in context as the long-term successor to Coach Fox) as the new head football coach. Superintendent Wright noted that the transition would be seamless, as Bar Woody has worked closely with outgoing coach Jeff Fox , who accepted an athletic director position at Willoughby South/Eastlake North. Legislative and Financial Outlook Board members discussed several pending Ohio bills that could impact local operations. Concerns were raised regarding House Bill 800 (the “Preschool for All Act”), with board members noting that while universal preschool is a positive goal, it must be accompanied by state funding to avoid becoming an “unfunded mandate.” Treasurer Todd Puster provided the March financial update, noting that the district’s cash balance is currently impacted by the timing of real estate property tax settlements and the MGM settlement from the previous year. Revenue: Total revenue saw a $1.1 million difference compared to last year, largely due to the MGM settlement timing. Expenses: Overall expenses for the first nine months of the fiscal year are approximately $500,000 lower than the previous year, which Puster described as a positive trend for the $62 million budget. SGO Success: The Nordonia SGO (Scholarship Granting Organization) reported a banner year, raising nearly $320,000 to help local families cover the costs of all-day kindergarten.