New principal named at Roberts Middle School

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by Ellin Walsh

Reporter

Cuyahoga Falls -- While most dread being summoned to the principal's office, Sean Wolanin is excited about it.

On May 7, the School Board unanimously endorsed hiring Wolanin as the principal at Roberts Middle School. Wolanin, of Claggett Middle School in Medina, will replace Tom Ratcliff. Ratcliff plans to retire June 13 after 23 years in the position.

"This is such a big move for me professionally," Wolanin stated May 7, adding, "I'm happy to have the opportunity to be a part of the Cuyahoga Falls family."

Wolanin received a two-year administrative contract; he will be paid $75,779 annually. Wolanin has background in middle-level education and possesses a master's degree in curriculum and instruction.

Ratcliff will retire with 34 years in education and two years of military service credit. Originally a math teacher at Bolich Junior High and a sixth-grade teacher at Schnee and Preston elementary schools, Ratcliff became the principal of Bode School from 1979-83. He served as the assistant principal of Bolich Middle School from 1983 until he came to Roberts in April 1985.

"I plan to relax and enjoy my first year of retirement and see what may come my way," Ratcliff told the Cuyahoga Falls News-Press.

Intervention specialist

Brady Harrison of Stow has been hired as a middle and high school intervention specialist, effective April 21. Higher grades will be necessary to make the football team or join the chess club next fall. That's because a higher minimum grade-point average will become effective at Falls High, creating a new academic standard that students must meet to earn the privilege of participating in athletics and extracurricular activities.

Harrison will work with students who need extra help to meet eligibility requirements.

In December 2007, the Board of Education voted to raise the minimum grade-point average requirement for eligibility to participate in athletics and extracurricular activities from 1.5 to 1.75, effective the 2008-09 school year. The minimum GPA requirement for eligibility will remain at 1.75 for two years and then increase to 2.0, beginning in the 2010-11 school year.

Grades earned during the spring 2008 grading period will determine students' eligibility to participate in athletics and extracurriculars in fall 2008.

Committee reports

Board member David Rump, who chairs the district's transportation committee, said he expects to report findings from the committee's recent community dialogues to the full Board either the second meeting in May or first meeting in June. The committee is trying to ascertain why many youngsters who are eligible to ride a school bus do not.

The Board is charged with appointing a replacement for Dr. Charles Glanville to the Cuyahoga Falls Parks and Recreation Board. Glanville resigned last month, citing "philosophical differences." School Board President Barbara Gunter has charged Rump and Board Vice President Therese Dunphy with forming a committee to recommend who the Board's appointee should be. Rump and Dunphy have been instructed to confer with parks board member Melissa Wilkinson on the recommendation. Through a memo read by the district's treasurer May 7, Gunter said she will expect the recommendation at the Board's June 11 meeting. Gunter was absent from the May 7 meeting.

A regularly scheduled Board meeting will take place May 21 at 7 p.m. in the Cuyahoga Falls High School Library, 2300 Fourth St.

The regularly scheduled Board meeting for June 4 has been canceled due to high school graduation that night. A special Board meeting will be conducted June 11 in the Cuyahoga Falls High School Library. That meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a Board work session to discuss the community survey.

E-mails: ewalsh@recordpub.com

Phone: 330-686-3908