What You Missed at the School Board Meeting: Contracts, Kids, and a Local Bowling Alley Reaches Out

The Vermilion Local School District Board of Education met on April 14, 2025, at Vermilion High School Commons. The meeting included the approval of a new teacher contract, recognition of outstanding students, updates on district policy, and remarks from community members, including the new owners of Lake Erie Lanes.

Citizens of the Month Lead with Optimism

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Vermilion Elementary’s March Citizens of the Month, each recognized for demonstrating optimism. Students were invited to attend the meeting by the board and introduced by Vice President Mark Benson:

Luca Cammarata, Jack Minear, Elliana Langdon, Athena Luquette, Sullivan Hess, Declan Landy, Nolan Simonovich, Connor Toth, Mia DiFucci, Alex Johnson, Jade Boggess, Hayden Kaminsky, Ava Willson, Elliet Bednarski, Greyson Brown, Charlie Costello, Kinleigh Helton, Lylah Grob, Jacob Earl, Jimmy Bunn, and Alex Treece.

Legislative and Student Reports

The board heard a brief legislative report followed by presentations from 7th grade students Lyla Judeware and Charley Kosovich on their National History Day projects. Later in the meeting, student Marlayna Jacinto shared highlights of her visit to NASA’s Crew-10 rocket launch.

Executive Session #1 and Teacher Contract Approval

The board entered its first executive session under ORC 121.22(G)(4) to discuss collective bargaining strategy related to the upcoming agreement with the Vermilion Teachers Association. No action was taken during the closed session.

Upon returning to open session, the board ratified a three-year contract with the teachers’ union, effective September 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028. The superintendent, treasurer, and board president were authorized to sign the final documents.

Policy Revisions and Personnel Moves

A comprehensive slate of policy updates was approved, covering graduation requirements, suicide prevention, drug-free workplace compliance, open enrollment, restroom use policies, AED training, and more.

The board also approved several personnel actions, including:

Resignations:

Allison Scullin, School Counselor (effective July 7, 2025)
David Hathaway, VHS Math (July 7, 2025)
Lori Gonzalez, VES Grade 2 (July 1, 2025)
Jeff Thayer, Head Mechanic (April 15, 2025)
Michael Temple, Bus Driver (March 31, 2025)
April Kleinfeler, Educational Aide (May 30, 2025)

Additional:

Lisa Murray, SMS Grade 4, Retirement (January 1, 2026)
Ann Zgodinski, Maternity Leave (August 18–November 10, 2025)
Multiple new hires and supplemental contracts, including overnight student trip chaperones and coaching adjustments

Financial Matters and Donations

The board accepted the March 2025 financial report and approved several donations, including:

$6,750 from the Prom to Dawn Committee
$100 from Pauline Canady for elementary lunch accounts
$112 from BSN Sports to the VHS softball program

Public Participation: Lake Erie Lanes Introduces New Owners

During public participation, Sandy and Brian Piwinski, the new owners of Lake Erie Lanes, introduced themselves to the board and community. Sandy expressed interest in bringing the VHS bowling team back to Lake Erie Lanes. The team has been practicing at Rebman Lanes in Lorain. They shared their vision of maintaining a safe, family friendly and welcoming environment, and voiced a strong interest in collaborating with local schools and bringing the VHS bowling team home to Vermilion.

Loni Krupa, a parent of a bowling team member, spoke about the struggles of being a Vermilion parent running her child around on the bowling team to get to practices. There is no bussing to practice and the burden is on the parents to get their children to practice. She spoke of her kids having to miss practice because of the challenges traveling presented. She also spoke of a lack of support by Rebman recognizing Vermilion athletes, with no banners recognizing the athletes and the team being presented or considered.

Executive Session #2 and Final Board Action

A second executive session was held under ORC 121.22(G)(1) to discuss personnel matters. When the board returned to open session, they formally approved the reason for entering the session — a required procedural step — before adjourning.