North Ridgeville City Schools board elects Frank Baca president, approves routine 2026 resolutions

Frank Baca was elected president of the North Ridgeville City Schools Board of Education at the board’s organizational meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, after members closed nominations and approved the choice by roll-call vote.

The newly seated board took oaths of office at the start of the meeting. Jeff Grigsby and Kelly McCarthy each recited oaths affirming they would support the U.S. and Ohio constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties as board members. Andrew Wappelman likewise took the oath during the meeting.

The election for president proceeded after a single nomination; the presiding officer called for a motion to close nominations and the board moved to individual roll-call votes. After the tally, the presiding officer announced, “Frank Baca is elected president of the Board of Education for 2026 and assumes the duties of the office.” A motion to confirm the result was moved and seconded and carried by roll call.

Kelly McCarthy was nominated and confirmed as vice president following the same process of nomination, motion to close nominations, and roll-call approval.

Following the leadership elections, the board approved a slate of routine organizational resolutions and appointments for 2026. Actions approved included establishing the board’s 2026 meeting dates; adopting the order of business for meetings; authorizing the treasurer/CFO to secure advances from the county auditor as needed; authorizing transfers of funds; approving standing authorizations; appointing legal counsel as listed; appointing a purchasing agent authority; designating a public records officer; appointing a suspension hearing officer; and naming a representative to the Lorain County Joint Vocational School Board of Education. Each item was moved, seconded and approved by roll-call votes during the meeting.

The meeting record contains instances of transcription inconsistencies in the spoken names and district name during the oaths and some motions. Where the transcript contains alternate spellings, the board’s formal roll calls and the chair’s announcements were used to determine outcomes. The meeting concluded after a motion to adjourn passed on a roll call.

The actions taken at the Jan. 13 organizational meeting set procedural and administrative authorities for the board for 2026. No substantive policy debates or program-specific appropriations were recorded on the meeting transcript; the agenda focused on officer elections, procedural resolutions and assignments of representative roles.