News / Articles

School Board Member Edna Phile Recognized 

for Participating in Property Tax Education Event Panel

Cardinal Board of Education Regular Meeting April 8, 2026

Meeting Details: The Cardinal Board of Education met for a Regular Meeting at the Cardinal Board of Education Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, 44062 at 6:30 pm.  The agenda is available online here. Click on the meeting tab in the upper right hand corner and then on the date of the meeting.  This meeting is in person only with no livestream or video.

Board Attendance: President Linda Smallwood, Vice President Barb Rayburn, and Members Anita Marlowe, Ruth Natali, and Edna Phile.

Staff Attendance: Superintendent Jack Cunningham and Treasurer Daniel L. Wilson.   

 

1. Opening Items  The meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Roll call was taken.

 

2. Presentations:

Huskie Happenings: Observer Note:  Additional Information is available through a link on the Agenda.

• Superintendent Cunningham announced that two third grade students were recognized by the East Geauga Kiwanis for their grades and good behavior for the third grading period.  The students received certificates and books.  (Attachment: 1)

• Superintendent Cunningham recognized and thanked Ms. Phile for her participation in the League of Women Voters Property Tax Program on April 7.  He stated that he thought it was a good program with some great questions from the audience, and he enjoyed hearing Auditor Walder’s presentation. Reviewer Note: The full video of the April 7 property tax education event is available here.

3. Hearing of the Public - None

 

4. Discussion Item(s) - None

 

5.  Superintendent’s Report - Personnel Items (see Agenda for details)

• Classified Hire: Kevin Cunningham - Assistant Custodian, Probationary contract for 60 days; one year limited contract at Level 1, Step 10 on the Classified Salary Index after probationary period; prorated, effective April 7, 2026 for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Certified Substitutes: Cassaundra Brilla

APPROVED 5-0

6.  Superintendent’s Report - Additional Items

• Field Trips Transportation Billing Rate 

               Bus: Approval for per mile field trip billing rate of $3.40 per mile for the remainder of Fiscal Year 

               2026.   Superintendent Cunningham explained that this is for outside groups.

• Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Hiram College and Cardinal Local Schools for Education Programs candidate’s Field Work experience. (Attachments: 2)

Teacher mentor placement and cooperative payment of $350 to teacher Lisa Simms.

• Field Trips  (Attachments: 2)

High School Art Class - Cleveland Museum of Art, April 17, 2026

Junior and Senior Classes - SPIRE Institute, Prom Promise, April 17, 2026

 

Discussion:  Ms. Marlowe thanked the Superintendent for putting the field trip forms online, thus making them easier to access and read by parents/guardians.

 

APPROVED 5-0

       

7.  Treasurer’s Report

• Minutes of March 11, 2026 Meeting (Attachment: 1)

• Minutes of March 25, 2026 Meeting/Work Session (Attachment: 1)

• Fund Transfers

  • Transfer of $25,000 from the General Fund to the Food Service Fund for the purchase of a double stack oven, refrigerator and cooler.

  • Transfer of $2,547.59 from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2027 (Attachment: 1)

• Financial Reports (Attachments: 8)

  • Treasurer Wilson stated that the budget is on track at this time.  The income from taxes to date is at 95.23%, and expenses to date are at 72.78%, with 75% of the year complete.

APPROVED 5-0

 

8.  Legislative Update

Ms. Marlowe reported that the Legislature is on a break until after the Primary Election in May.  She stated that early voting has started, and absentee ballots must be received by Election Day.  She reported that before the Legislature left for the break, they were working on the following items, none of which have been approved, and all of which are in hearings:

• Law enforcement agencies to provide school resource officers to chartered non-public schools

• Modification of the requirement to provide evidence-based intervention services to students with limited proficiency in mathematics

• Override of the new law that allows middle and high school student athletes to earn money from their name, image and/or likeness.

• A continuing resolution to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education 

• Modification of the requirement to offer a minimum of one computer science course to allow for a half year course

• Require that students in fifth through twelfth grades view a film about the development of a baby (Baby Olivia Act)

• Several bills to prevent fraud in preschool facilities by using tablets with embedded cameras to photograph students within one hour of their arrival at a daycare or preschool

• Choice Act - remove immunization rules, as was done in Florida

• Rounding prices to the nearest nickel for cash payments to the state and federal governments

9.  Auburn Career Center Update

Mrs. Rayburn announced that a meet and greet was held for the new Auburn Career Center Treasurer, and that the Auburn Career Center calendar has been published.

 

10.  Hearing of the Public - Non-agenda Items

Diane Baumgartner asked about the status of her application for substituting in the cafeteria and as a van driver and aide, as she had completed the required paperwork a few weeks ago.  She stated that she had knowledge that an email was sent on her behalf requesting that she be approved as a classified substitute, and asked why it was not on the agenda.  Superintendent Cunningham stated that the board knew nothing about it, that it was up to him, and he had not put it on the board agenda yet.  He stated that he had to get together with the people involved, and was not able to do so last week, but intended to do so this week.  Ms. Baumgartner questioned why, after 42 years of employment with the district, this was needed.  Superintendent Cunningham restated that he had not put it on the agenda yet.

 

11. Upcoming Dates/Meetings

• April 9 - Music Boosters Meeting, 4:30 pm

• April 13 - Athletic Boosters Meeting, 6:00 pm

• April 14 - State Testing Begins

• April 17 - Kiwanis Fish Fry at the Cardinal Elementary School Cafeteria

• April 22 - Board of Education Meeting/Work Session - 6:30 pm

12.  Adjournment

 

APPROVED 5-0

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:48 pm.

 

Next meeting:  April 22, 2026 - Regular Meeting/Work Session, at 6:30 pm at Board Offices, 15982 E. High Street, Middlefield, OH. 

More information here: https://cardinalschools.org/board-members/

Observer:  Dorrie Keough

Editor: Rooney Moy

Reviewer: Sarah McGlone

Submitted: April 10, 2026

The League of Women Voters of Geauga is a 501(c)(3) nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. They do not support or oppose individual candidates or parties. Learn more about the LWVG at www.lwvgeauga.org.