Elementary Principal Resignation Announced as Cardinal Parents Express Concern about Recent Administrator Departures
Cardinal Board of Education Regular Meeting - June 10, 2026
Meeting Details: The Cardinal Board of Education met for a Regular Meeting at the Cardinal Board of Education Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, 44062 at 6:30 pm. The Agenda is available online here. Click on the Meeting tab in the upper right hand corner and then on the date of the meeting. This meeting is in person only with no livestream or video.
Board Attendance: President Linda Smallwood, Vice President Barb Rayburn, and Members Anita Marlowe, Ruth Natali, and Edna Phile.
Staff Attendance: Superintendent Jack Cunningham, Treasurer Kathryn C. (Katie) Hoffmeister and Elementary School Principal Robert Kujala.
Others in Attendance: There were approximately 30 members of the public in attendance, including several children and a reporter from the Geauga Maple Leaf newspaper.
1. Opening Items The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Roll call was taken.
2. Presentations:
Huskie Happenings: (see Agenda for details)
Student Academics:
Superintendent Cunningham recognized and congratulated Colton Krebs, a second grade student, who recently won the National Math Stars Award, and the high school students who recorded perfect scores on the Ohio State Tests (OST) earlier this year:
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John Loving - 801 in Geometry, and the first student to score 800 or above at Cardinal High School.
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Kara Everett - 800 in US History
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Gage Wagamon - 800 in US History
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William Rayburn - 774 in Government
Mr. Cunningham also recognized their teachers, Brianna Blair and Luke Kruse.
Elementary Principal Mr. Kujala presented certificates to the following Cardinal Elementary School students who scored above 800 on their state tests:
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3rd grade English Language Arts
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805 - Rebekah Darone
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805 - Maelynn Klatik
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4th grade English Language Arts
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807 - Elizabeth Klouda
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822 - Elsie Owens
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5th grade English Language Arts
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3rd grade Math
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810 - Oliver Anderson
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810 - Carsynn Brilla
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4th grade Math
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5th Grade Science
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801 - Madelyn Grover
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801 - Keihin Krebs
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809 - Jon Jurgelis
On Thursday, May 28th, the following high school students (who participated in the local Envirothon at The Holden Arboretum in April) presented three resolutions to the Geauga County Commissioners meeting: Alaina Hickox, Layla Marcum, Gage Wagamon, Evan Everett, Grayson Yoder, Kaithe Buresch, Lucas Gresch, Delilah Turon, and Felicity Little. Envirothon co-advisors are Miss Danielle Moon and Mr. Ben Clutter.
Student Sports:
Superintendent Cunningham announced that the following students set new track and field records this spring:
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Mason Thistlethwaite - long jump - 21 feet 3 inches
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Mason Thistlethwaite - 200 meter dash - 22.43 seconds
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Joshua Miller - 200 meter dash - 22.47 seconds
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Boys 4x100 Relay (Joshua Miller, Tor Eastlake, Paul Komandt, and Mason Thistlethwaite)
He congratulated students who competed at the state track and field meet on June 4th and 5th:
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Olivia Krebs, shot put (4th place finish) and discus
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Mason Thistlethwaite, 100 meter dash (7th place finish)
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Joshua Miller, Tor Eastlake, Paul Komandt, and Mason Thistlethwaite, the boys’ 4x100 meter relay team
Staff Recognition:
Superintendent Cunningham announced that at the annual end of the year staff breakfast and awards, many staff members and their nominations were recognized. The following received special recognition:
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Cardinal Walking Club
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Teacher of the Year - Alison Tomazic
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Employee of the Year - Sheila Grant
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Leader of the Year - Sami Fix
Other:
Superintendent Cunningham thanked the Village of Middlefield and the mayor for planting and maintaining the flower bed in front of the Board of Education office.
3. Hearing of the Public (agenda items) - None
4. Discussion Item(s):
Superintendent Cunningham announced that prior to discussing the items on the agenda, he needed to address some other issues. He said that he would read a statement. He read aloud that he was aware of the social media posts about the status of building administrators and said that he would not comment about confidential matters. However, he stated that the comments on social media were not accurate. He said that a board member cannot force any staff member out of the district and that the board’s role is not to recommend contracts but rather the board’s role is to vote on recommended contracts placed on the agenda by the superintendent. He said that the timeline and procedure he follows is first to meet with an administrator in January of the year their contract expires, then again in April. He encouraged everyone to avoid rumors and assumptions regarding non-renewal of contracts, and if anyone had questions for him, he would be available to discuss the process.
He then announced that his second item was a proposed alternative board agenda, and he asked that board members look it over. He then called on the Treasurer Hoffmeister who explained the changes in the proposed alternative agenda, which included calling the roll in alphabetical order (after the person making the motion and the person seconding the motion were called), and using a consent agenda, which would include resignations, minutes, and financial reports that have already closed, including Then And Now items. She explained that voting on these items is a formality, and the consent agenda permits the board to vote on all of these items at once, rather than voting on each item separately. Superintendent Cunningham added that if an item appears on the consent agenda that a board member wants to vote on separately, they could request that the item be removed from the consent agenda. Several board members asked for clarification about the changes and the terminology in the alternative agenda, which Mrs. Smallwood and Ms. Hoffmeister explained. Treasurer Hoffmeister added that use of this agenda would create a more efficient board meeting, and that they would try using it at the June 24 board meeting. Mr. Cunningham said that they would use the alternative agenda for a few meetings and evaluate its effectiveness.
Mr. Cunningham then announced the third item: the levy that is up for renewal. Treasurer Hoffmeister explained that they have three opportunities to put the operating levy on the ballot: November 2026, May 2027, and November 2027. She explained that it is a 5-year levy for 9.7 mills, which is the amount originally approved. The levy is currently collecting at 7.8 mills. Observer Note: For a renewal levy, the effective millage is calculated by the County Auditor to prevent inflation from boosting tax collections. This became law when Ohio’s House Bill 920 was passed in 1976.
Ms. Hoffmeister stated that the board would have to decide whether to put the levy up for renewal by August 5 to allow time for the Auditor to certify the levy request. Ms. Phile asked if there was enough time to do this, and Ms. Hoffmeister said that it would depend on the community. Mrs. Smallwood then asked that question of Jennifer Owens, a parent and a representative of Supporters of Cardinal, who was in the audience. Ms. Owens said, “It would be a lot sooner than we anticipated, but it could be done, if that is what is needed for the district.” She asked to have a meeting with the Treasurer and the Supporters of Cardinal (herself, Sherry Hickox, and Katie Johnson, who were also in the audience). Ms. Hoffmeister agreed to schedule a meeting with the group.
Mr. Cunningham asked the Treasurer if the board voted in July to place the levy on the ballot, could it be removed if it was determined that there was not sufficient time to work on its passage. Ms. Hoffmeister said that yes, that would be possible.
4.01 January and March 2026 Board Policy first Reading
Artificial Intelligence policy - Mr. Cunningham explained the policy, and after learning that the policy was not included in the board packets, he said that he would get it to the board members.
4.02 Summer Side Kicks Program presented by the ESCWR (Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve)
Mr. Cunningham explained that this program is for students in grades K-6 who need extra help, meets two mornings each week, and is conducted at no charge for Cardinal students.
5. Superintendent’s Report
5.01 Personnel Items
Resignation:
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Robert Kujala, Elementary Principal, effective August 1, 2026, last day of employment will be July 31, 2026.
Summer Courses:
ESY Summer 2026 Drivers and Aides
Routes and times to be determined.
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Simone Lee
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Sue Urbanski
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Betty Anderson
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Jeramie Gates
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Taylor Kolat
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Cyndle Purchase
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Dawn Basham
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Terri Balko
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Leanna Herr
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Taylor Thomas
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Ed Youngs
Sandy Wilson, nurse services, 3 hrs/day for 5 days at $36/hr from June 8 through June 12, 2026
Unpaid Time off
2026-27 Co- Curricular Supplementals:
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Candi Peters
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Junior Class Advisor, .075
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Fall Play Asst. Director, .02
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Musical Asst. Director, .04
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Andrea Ramirez
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Amanda Hamrle
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Haley Adams
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Meghan Turon
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Senior Advisor, .075
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Fall Play Director, .075
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Spring Musical Director, Step 2, .09
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Jr High yearbook, .03
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Key Club, .02
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NHS Co-Advisor (.030 split with Luke Kruse), .015
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Luke Kruse
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Nicole Nicholas
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Jewel Kuhns
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Danielle Moon
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Mike Toaplian
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Sharron Callahan
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Deena Avalon
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Sarah Mast
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Charlotte Torre
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Melissa Cardinal
PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Building Leader: $1,400 /per person
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Melissa Cardinal- CES
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Chelsea Kelly- CES
Credit Recovery Online Instructor
ALL APPROVED 5-0
5.02 Three (3) year Collective Bargaining Agreement (2006-2029) between Cardinal Local School District and OAPSE ( Ohio Association of Public School Employees) 616 effective August 1, 2026 thru July 31, 2029
APPROVED 5-0
5.03 Renewals- Frontline Absence Management and Applicant Tracking
APPROVED 5-0
5.04 Purchase of a stainless steel refrigerator and shelf rails $3,100 from Discount Appliances.
APPROVED 5-0
5.05 Board approval of the Math Coaching Addendum and Statement of Work for FY27 between ESCWR (Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve) and Cardinal Local Schools.
APPROVED 5-0
5.06
Board approval for ESY student cost attending ESY (Extended School Year) at West Geauga, for $150.
APPROVED 5-0
6. Treasurer Report
6.01 Motion to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2026 regular meeting.
APPROVED 5-0
6.02 Motion to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2026 work session meeting.
APPROVED 5-0
6.03 Board approval of the Monthly Financial Reports for the month of May 2026.
APPROVED 5-0
6.04 Then and Now resolution.
BE IT RESOLVED that, on the recommendation of the Treasurer, the Cardinal Local School District Board of Education, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.41 (D), hereby: i) approves the authorization of Then and Now Certificates for the purchase orders listed below; ii) determines that that both at the time that the below-listed contracts or orders were made and at the time of completing this certification, sufficient funds were available or in the process of collection, to the credit of a proper fund, properly appropriated and free from any previous encumbrance; and iii) authorizes the drawing of warrants for the items listed below:
Vendor: Schoolinks
Department: District
Purchase Order Number: 3602268
Purchase Order Date: 4/13/2026
Invoice Date: 4/10/2026
Amount: $10,387.89
APPROVED 5-0
6.05 Board approval of the following proposal for Frontline/Forecast Five, Option #2
Ms. Phile asked when this would begin, and Ms. Hoffmeister said that if it was approved at the meeting, she would contact the company to initiate the process.
APPROVED 5-0
7. Board Updates
7.01 Legislative Update - Ms. Marlowe announced that the County Commissioners are considering voting to expand the Homestead Exemption for Geauga homeowners. Reviewer Note: See the May 28, 2026 County Commissioners LWVG Observer Report for details.
7.02. Auburn Career Center Update - None
8. Hearing of the Public - Non-agenda Items
Laura Kaserman, a parent of a second grade student, addressed the board with concerns about the recent lockdown. She stated that there was chaos and panic, which was made worse when parents arrived and had no information about where to go. She made a suggestion for a designated place for parents to park, and also asked the board to consider hiring a School Resource Officer, which she said would help prevent chaos and confusion among students and staff. She then addressed the recent administrator resignations, and asked what could be done about the high turnover rate in the district, and the fact that many members of the public were afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation. Reviewer Note: The administrator resignations refer to the departures of Brittney Owen, Associate Principal, and Robert Kujala, Elementary Principal. Mr. Kujala’s resignation was announced at this board meeting, and Ms. Owen’s resignation was announced at the May 27, 2026 Cardinal Board of Education meeting.
Courtney Jenkins, a parent of two students, addressed the resignations of two administrators, and asked why there has been no information about it. She also echoed Ms. Kaserman’s statement about the need for a School Resource Officer. She stated that she was aware that there had previously been an SRO, but that the public was not told when that person left the position, or why the position was not filled.
Mrs. Smallwood stated that the Village of Middlefield, not the district, provided the School Resource Officer, and she thought that the Village was pursuing a grant for another School Resource Officer. She stated that as Mr. Cunningham had said earlier, the contract process was followed, and that both administrators were told that their contracts would be renewed at the May board of education meeting.
Mr. Cunningham said that he liked the idea of a designated parking place for parents. He also stated that they also liked having a School Resource Officer.
9. Upcoming Dates/Meetings
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June 11th: Tidy Up the Trails (Community Service Opportunity for 7-12th Grade Athletes) at Veterans Legacy Woods from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.
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June 12th - 14th: Swiss Cheese Festival at Cardinal Sports Complex.
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June 24th: Board of Education Meeting at the Board Office at 6:30 p.m.
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June 27th: Domen and Marcu Golf Outing at Rolling Green Golf Course at 10:00 am.
12. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:34 pm.
Next meeting: June 24, 2026 - Regular Meeting/Work Session, at 6:30 pm at Board Offices, 15982 E. High Street, Middlefield, OH.
Observer: Dorrie Keough
Editor: Rooney Moy
Reviewer: Sarah McGlone
Submitted: June 16, 2026
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