Welcome to the Kirtland Schools’ Key Communicator e-newsletter. We hope to use this tool as a two-way form of communication to share the good news going on in our classrooms, and also provide you with facts in the event of negative situations. We hope you will act as informal communications liaisons with the community and let us know what you’re hearing so we can proactively provide you with the facts of what’s happening in your schools. Thank you for your support!                                                      

KIRTLAND LOCAL SCHOOLS UPDATE August 15, 2023

At the Special Board of Education meeting on August 8, 2023, the Board of Education voted to approve Ryan Pendleton from the ESC for a one year contract to be the treasurer for the Kirtland Local Schools.

At the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on August 14, 2023, Mr. VanArnhem reported to the Board and community:

• Congratulations to Naomi Blankenship as she qualified at the national level for her Camp Invention creation called the “Secret Seat”.  She will compete in the spring of 2024 at the Henry Ford Museum.

• Thank you to the Kirtland Kiwanis that have been working to update the home press box located on top of Kirtland High School and for donating $5,000 to cover the cost of the project. A special thanks to Rich Lowry, Mike Sams, and Rick Blum for their hard work in making this happen!

• Thanks to Mike Kost of BK Electric Co. for donating labor and materials to update and run more needed electricity to the home press box.

• Congratulations and thank you to Mrs. Nagaj, Mrs. Needham, Mrs. Bonacci, Mrs. Meleski and Ms. Folk for presenting at the Leadership Symposium on October 3rd in Independence.  They did an amazing job and taught a lot of educators about the latest research on teaching children to read.

• Mr. VanArhem stated that he is very excited to welcome back staff on Wednesday, August 16th, and students on Thursday, August 17th!

Treasurer Recommendations:

• The Board approved the purchase of a used eight passenger van for $30,225.

Superintendent Recommendations:

• Mr. VanArnhem presented and the Board approved:

  • An agreement to allow Kirtland students that attend Auburn in the education field to do coursework with our district.

  • The student handbooks were approved for all three buildings.

    • KES 23-24 Student Handbook

    • KMS & KHS 23-24 Student Handbok

  • Latchkey rates will be $4.75 an hour

  • Sub Rates were approved

• A POW/MIA chair was approved to be installed in the stadium.

  • The Chair of Honor is placed in recognition of the more than 83,000 United States men and women who gave their lives in defense of this great country, or who were captured, and never returned home.  The Chair symbolizes that we will always hold a place for them in our hearts and minds and the hope that one day they can be returned to resume their lives or to give closure to their grieving families.

• Policies first reading:

  • 7440.03 Drones- must meet guidelines; training; certificate

  • 0131.1 Technical Corrections- can do in consent agenda to adopt certain policies

  • 2114 - MEETING STATE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS- five star rating instead of letter grades

  • 3120.09 - VOLUNTEERS- Rescind for po8120

  • 4120.09 - VOLUNTEERS- Rescind for po8120

  • 5310 - HEALTH SERVICES– updated language on concussions 

  • 8120 - VOLUNTEERS- pupil activity permit and background check required; denial if have certain offenses

• A career Tech Waiver was applied for at ODE

• Edmentum was approved for online computer science and financial literacy classes at $33,050, Michigan Virtual for $17,340, Edmentum Science for $28,615 and online health classes at $5,250.

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 The Kirtland Local Schools are known for academic excellence and strong community support, and have been recognized nationally and statewide for educational achievement. The district also maintains a long tradition of distinction in a variety of extracurricular activities. The Board of Education provides open and thoughtful fiscal management of the community’s investment in the school district’s high quality educational program by ensuring every dollar spent benefits students and the community.                                                      

The Kirtland Local School District is located in Lake County and serves the City of Kirtland and most of the Villages of Kirtland Hills and Waite Hill, and small portions of Willoughby and Chardon Township.                                                  

Board notes and agendas can be found on the website at www.kirtlandschools.org.