Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education meeting on Sept. 23, compiled by Akron Documenter Jessica Rice. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Summary
- Cuyahoga Falls City School District Superintendent Andrea Celico presented the district’s state report card. She said the district showed improvement across all grade levels since 2023. The district received a score of 3.5 stars out of 5. (Editor’s note: Traditional public and community schools across the state receive one-to-five star ratings in six different components. Scores lower than three stars are considered below state standards. See how Cuyahoga Falls City School District compares to Akron and other districts.)
- Two students were honored for their achievements. One student received their diploma, and the other received a math award.
- As part of the 2026 Youth Hope Initiative, Kevin Love, who played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, spoke about his experiences with mental health, resilience and the importance of asking for help.
Documenter follow-up questions
- News outlets reported the cancellation of a football game scheduled for Sept. 19 because multiple students had contracted hand, foot and mouth disease. Why was there no update at this meeting on the students’ conditions or discussion of changes to locker-room cleaning procedures?
Cuyahoga Falls Board of Education meeting notes
The meeting was held in the auditorium at the 6-12 Campus Performing Arts Center. The meeting was recorded, and the audio was live streamed on YouTube. There were 17 people in attendance, and the meeting lasted for approximately one hour. Five board members were in attendance and seated behind a table with nameplates displayed.
They were:
- Anthony Gomez, board president
- Carrie Schaefer, board vice president
- Patrice White, board member
- Courtney Zimmerman, board member
- A.J. Harris, board member
Also in attendance were Treasurer Kristy Stoicoiu and Superintendent Andrea Celico.
Gomez began the meeting with the roll call and a unanimous approval of the Sept. 23 consent agenda. Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance, and the mission statement was read aloud.
Board recognizes student achievements
The board granted approval of a high school diploma to Caleb Moser for completing the necessary requirements for graduation.
The National Math Star award was given to fourth grader Brayden Tingler. He was presented with a certificate and congratulated by the board members for his achievement.
CFCSD shows progress on state report card
Celico reviewed slides showing the progress that the schools have made since 2023. The overall rating is based on achievement, graduation, progress, early literacy, gap closing and College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness (CCWMR). Cuyahoga Falls City Schools received a score of 3.5 stars out of 5. The district’s other performance scores have improved and are as follows:
- Performance Index – 3 stars. A measure of how well students performed on state tests
- Progress – 3 stars. A measure of the growth that students are making based on their past performance
- Graduation – 4 stars. A measure of the percentage of students who graduate within four or five years
- CCWMR – 3 stars – A measure of how prepared Ohio’s students are for future opportunities
- Literacy – 3 stars. A measure of reading improvement and proficiency for students in kindergarten through third grade
- Gap Closing – 4 stars. A measure of the reduction in educational gaps for student groups
- Chronic Absenteeism – 23.1 percent. A measure of student absenteeism. It has decreased from 30.5 percent in 2022.
- Gifted Progress – 3 stars. A measure that includes the gifted performance index, progress, identification and service
Suggested Reading
Treasurer shares financial updates
The acceptance of five donations worth a total of over $3,285 was approved unanimously.
Amended appropriations: Stoicoiu said that the appropriations needed to be adjusted because they have received the allocation for the Career Tech grant that they receive every year for one of their employees and the Title I Expanding Opportunities grant.
Financial transactions reports: A brief review of the August Interest, General Fund and Food Service reports were given. The reports are reviewed monthly and are progressing as expected.
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District needs more middle school sporting events workers
The board unanimously approved the superintendent’s report. Celico gave a brief review of personnel, certified appointments, Saturday school monitors, instructors, classified appointments, paraprofessionals, food service and bus monitors.
Additional information she shared included:
Athletic event workers payment schedule: The district has had to hire more middle school events workers because the new athletic conference requires them to charge admission now. No vote was taken to approve the schedule.
Lease agreement for Schnee Learning Center: The negotiations between the district and the learning center have been favorable. A recommendation to approve the agreement was made, but no vote was taken.
2026 Youth Hope Initiative by the Alliance for Healthy Youth: On Sept. 22, Kevin Love, who is a former basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, spoke about mental health, resilience and the importance of asking for help. The event was held at the 6-12 Campus Auditorium, and Celico spoke about the excitement of the students and staff during this event.
Board approves various support organizations
The board unanimously approved the following parent-teach support organizations:
Cuyahoga Falls Middle School PTO, Richardson Elementary PTO, Elizabeth Price Elementary PTO, Cuyahoga Falls High School PTSO, Instrumental Music Patrons of Cuyahoga Falls, Lincoln Elementary PTA
The board unanimously approved the design of the new portrait of a Black Tiger, which is the district’s mascot.
The board briefly discussed the various school-related activities and meetings that they attended recently. The meeting ended at 6:33 p.m.
