(Submitted by Cardinal Schools Superintendent Dr. Scott Hunt) – It’s a new year. 2015. This is the time where New Year’s resolutions are made with the hope of following through until next year. As far as getting more exercise or committing to a better diet, I have found that those resolutions typically don’t make it past the month of January. One thing I have learned from my experiences as a school administrator is that it’s important to continually revisit our purpose and where want to go and resolve to get there.
Several things took place this year that have may have confused our community as to what the Cardinal Local Schools future looks like. First, let me say that I have outlined a vision for the district that I hope will strengthen relationships with our students, families, local government and business community. These relationships are critical if our schools are to survive in the future.
One way to strengthen our community is to begin to bring them back to our schools. This year we asked a group to pull together and form the Huskie Nation Foundation for the purpose of creating a rally point around Cardinal. This group has plans, in collaboration with the schools, to construct a sports complex.
Recent news articles may have lead readers to believe that the project will not happen. The articles I am referring to are in regards to the district’s lease agreement with the village and a new proposal to have a consolidated school district at the Kent/Geauga campus. I have had to reassure those that have asked that the project IS moving forward.
We are currently looking to make modifications to the village lease agreement. Also, I have had conversation with Kent State and their proposal DOES NOT plan for any type of athletic facility whether that is a gym or a football field. IF the Kent State proposal does come to fruition, students will still need a facility for athletic programming.
The Huskie Nation Foundation has been hard at work this fall and winter and has solidified individuals, gifts, and money to date. The following is a portion of their work to date:
- O Sports has been contracted as architect/engineer for the entire project.
- Ron Flavin has been hired for his professional grant writing service.
- The Tim Yoder Construction Company will act as project manager for the concessions/restrooms building, pro bono.
- Carter lumber will donate all building materials for the concessions/restrooms.
- Cleveland plumbing will donate all plumbing supplies for the concessions/restrooms.
- To date $28,000 in cash has been raised NOT including in kind gifts.
The project is slated to break ground spring of 2015 and expected completion is planned within a two-year time period.
Although the Huskie Nation Foundation project is important, it is equally important to highlight what we are doing to prepare kids for college and career. Last year we were able to “shuffle the deck chairs” and build necessary programming back into our schools. We opened this year with all day every day Kindergarten, we reinstated art, band, and choir at the middle school/high school and we provided busing for all students.
Early this winter, the high school will be sharing a new master schedule with families. This schedule will provide our students with more time and more opportunities over their high school career to get what they need to be successful when they leave. In addition, we are in the final planning phases for the two Straight A grants that were awarded to the schools in Geauga County.
Next year our students that are interested in STEM programming will have the opportunity to participate in a new STEM school that will open in the fall at Auburn Career Center. We are also infusing career exploration and preparation into the Cardinal Middle School schedule for next year via the grants. At Cardinal High School, our students will have the opportunity to access digitized course work through The Ohio State University and the College Ready Ohio Straight A grant.
All of the things we are planning to do and the things we are doing add value to the Cardinal High School Diploma. As students leave here, the value of that diploma will provide them with opportunities to work, learn and find a career that fits their wants and needs. It’s exciting to see what the future holds here in Cardinal as I resolve to stay the course and build with a focus on the students of the Cardinal Local School District.
Please feel free to contact me by email or phone. I can be contacted via email scott.hunt@cardinalschools.org or in the office at 632-0261. (Feel free, also, to follow me on twitter: @DrSJHunt)
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