At its July 14 regular meeting, the Vermilion Local School District Board of Education voted to move forward with placing a $47 million bond issue on the November 4 ballot, approved a new high school assistant principal, and reviewed a range of personnel and financial items as the district prepares for the 2025–2026 school year.
New Assistant Principal Named at VHS
The board approved the hiring of Summer Burris as Vermilion High School’s next assistant principal. Burris, a longtime high school math teacher from Strongsville with experience in Brunswick, signed a three-year contract beginning August 1.
Following her approval, Burris introduced herself and shared her first impressions of Vermilion.
“First of all, thank you so much. I’m so excited for this opportunity,” Burris said. “My name is Summer Burris. I live in Strongsville, “Burris… who said she’s worked with Athletic Director Andrew Stillman in the past, is a longtime high school math teacher. I’ve been a high school math teacher for 23 years. It’s an exciting time to be around kids, and I’m looking forward to being part of this community.”
She described a recent visit to the area with her daughter.
“I brought my daughter last week to show her around, and it was amazing. We drove through town, and she said, ‘Mom, there’s a beach. These kids grow up in these beautiful houses on the lake?’ She immediately called her boyfriend and said, ‘You’re never going to believe this… they have a beach.’”
Burris, whose two daughters both attend Ohio State University, said she’s already thinking long term.
“I told her, ‘If this works out, maybe your relationship works out, and you move up here.’ I’m all about recruiting,” she laughed. “I’m trying to get my girls back closer to home.”
She ended with a message to the board and community:
“I’m very appreciative. If there’s ever anything I can do, please reach out to me anytime.”
Bond Issue Heads to Ballot
Treasurer Justin Klingshirn presented the final resolution needed to place the $47 million bond on the November ballot. The board unanimously approved the measure, completing the formal process. Klingshirn said he will deliver the required documents to the Erie County Board of Elections for certification.
Year-End Financial Report Shows Capital Transfer
Klingshirn provided a comprehensive year-end financial update. General fund revenue reached $27.8 million, bolstered by a property tax reappraisal, the sale of an Apple lease, and the sale of a building. A $7.6 million transfer from the general fund to a capital projects fund inflated both revenue and expenditure totals for the year. Without that transfer, spending would have aligned closely with historical norms.
The district’s cash balance declined to $8.9 million, down from $16.2 million the year before. Interest income grew to $731,960 for the fiscal year, up 12.7% from 2024.
Rainy Football Season Impacts Athletic Fund
Board members briefly discussed a $4,832 transfer from the general fund to cover a shortfall in the athletic fund. Klingshirn noted that several rainy Friday nights during football season significantly reduced gate revenue, despite the team having one of its best seasons.
Only One Booster Group Compliant with Board Policy
Superintendent Dr. David Hile raised concerns that only one district support organization, the Vermilion Choral Boosters, submitted required documentation for board recognition under Policy 9211. Groups such as the athletic boosters, band boosters, and PTOs had not complied, despite multiple reminders.
Without board recognition, support organizations cannot hold fundraisers or use the school’s name or logos. Hile emphasized the liability risk and noted that the Choral Boosters were the only group to respond, though they currently do not carry insurance and are not planning fundraisers at this time.
Personnel and Program Approvals
The board unanimously approved a lengthy consent agenda that included student handbooks, program fees, employment contracts, resignations, salary adjustments, substitute rates, and dozens of supplemental contracts for the upcoming year. Among them was a special project rate of $34 per hour for new teacher orientation, including Jessica Benson, whose husband, board member Mark Benson, abstained from the vote.
Executive Session and Adjournment
The board entered executive session at 6:33 p.m. to discuss personnel matters and reconvened at 7:53 p.m. before adjourning.
Next Meetings
All meetings take place at Vermilion High School Commons at 6:00 p.m.
- August 11, 2025
- September 8, 2025
- October 13, 2025
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