Northwell Board approves minutes, accepts resignations, and hires several new staff

The Northwell Board of Education approved routine business including prior meeting minutes, then‑and‑now transactions, acceptance of resignations, and approval of several new hires the superintendent recommended.

A staff member presented resignations listed under superintendent recommendations, including a retirement entry recorded as the resignation of "Donnie Leo Leonardis, fourth grade teacher, Vincent, due to retirement effective 01/01/2027" and the retirement of bus driver Donna Walter (route 7, effective May). The board moved and approved acceptance of the resignations.

Under personnel appointments the staff member listed corrected hire dates and recommended approval for multiple candidates, all with an effective date of Aug. 17: Carly Adams (English language arts teacher, Northwest High School, 0 years experience, step 1); Adrianne Cobbs (ELA teacher, Northwest Middle School, bachelor’s degree, 0 years experience, step 1); Ethan Douglas (math teacher, Northwest High School, bachelor’s degree, 0 years experience, step 1); Maggie Downard (intervention specialist, Stinson Elementary, bachelor’s degree, 0 years experience, step 1); Jessica Elam (guidance counselor, Northwest High School, master’s degree, 4 years experience, step 5); Tiffany Learn (health and science teacher, North Coast High School, bachelor’s +150 hours, 4 years experience, step 5); and Alexis Meyer (science teacher, North Coast Middle School, bachelor’s degree, 1 year experience, step 2). The board welcomed the new hires and approved the recommendations by motion and roll call.

The board also approved the minutes from the March 23 regular meeting and the March 21 special meeting, accepted a recommendation to approve then‑and‑now transactions (with a staff follow‑up requested to clarify one Conquest consultation item), and approved Business Advisory Committee minutes for March and April.

Donations accepted on the superintendent’s recommendation included $200 from BFW Auxiliary Post 9795 for the primary strengthening‑families program, another $200 from BFW of Ohio Charities Post 9795 for the same program, $500 from CanalFold Christian Fellowship for strengthening families, and $840 from Vinyl Supply Limited for a primary 'occlusion day' activity. The staff member said these donations assist district family‑support programming.

Why it matters: The approvals ensure staffing and program supports are in place for the coming school year and authorize the acceptance of community contributions to district programs.