Cardinal Treasurer Daniel Wilson Resigns Effective May 8, 2026
Cardinal Board of Education Regular Meeting/Work Session – March 25, 2026
Meeting Details: The Cardinal Board of Education met for a Regular Meeting/Work Session 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.
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Superintendent Cunningham congratulated three high school students who participated in the NAC Basketball All Star game and two high school students who participated in the three point contest.
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Superintendent Cunningham announced that sixth, seventh, and eighth grade teams participated in the Greater Cleveland Council of Teachers of Mathematics Problem-Solving Tournament and earned blue and red ribbons.
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Superintendent Cunningham announced that the Spring Musical, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, was performed recently and that the students and crew did an outstanding job.
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Superintendent Cunningham announced that the softball team competed in their first scrimmage of the season at Akron Firestone Stadium, where the state softball championships are held.
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Superintendent Cunningham thanked Preston Superstore for their donation of a truck for the Cardinal Athletic Booster Club’s raffle, to begin in April.
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Superintendent Cunningham updated the board about the gymnasium and visitor locker room renovation, which began on March 30. Work will continue during the spring break, and will be completed during the summer break.
3. Hearing of the Public - None
4. Discussion Item(s) - None
5. Superintendent’s Report - Personnel Items (see Agenda for details)
1 Supplemental Contract - Athletics
APPROVED 4-0, with one abstention
6. Superintendent’s Report - Additional Items
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2026-2027 Academic Calendar. The first day for students will be Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and the last day for students will be Friday, June 4, 2027. The calendar was created with input from families and staff via a survey, the results of which are available on Board Docs. Both the graduation date for seniors and the possible use of two hour delays during inclement weather after the district has used five calamity days are being researched.
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Guideline Update - Early Entrance to Kindergarten. The guidelines have been revised to comply with the new state law which uses the first day of school instead of August 1 as the cutoff date for entrance to kindergarten. Observer Note: Under HB 114, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, a child must be five years of age on or before the first day of school to be admitted to kindergarten, unless the child has been accepted under the Early Entrance guidelines.
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Contracts - Learn Well, services for a hospitalized student; North Coast Tutoring Services, services for a student.
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Phone System Upgrade - The current system, ITC Connect, needs to be upgraded. Three companies were considered. Superintendent Cunningham stated that the vendor comparison was attached to the board members’ agendas. He recommended that the board approve the quote for Maven.
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Field Trips - Superintendent Cunningham recommended the approval of three field trips.
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Donation - Discount Appliances - a washer, valued at $635.16, for use by the high school custodial staff for cleaning materials.
ALL APPROVED 5-0
7. Treasurer’s Report
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Then and Now Board Approvals - two certificates for contracts or orders in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 5705.41 (D)
- Re-Education Student Services, $11,985.00 for special education services
- Gordon Food Service, $3673.96, for food service
APPROVED 5-0
Mr. Wilson updated the board about joining other districts in the county to take legal action against Orwell Gas for property tax delinquencies. Mrs. Smallwood explained that this issue had occurred nine or ten years prior. Mr. Wilson stated that the company had been sold to another company in a maneuver to avoid property taxes. He stated that if the legal action was successful, it would result in over a million dollars for the district. Reviewer Note: The Orwell-Trumbull pipeline tax delinquencies were discussed in some detail at the March 16, 2026 Budget Commission Meeting.
Additional item: Mrs. Smallwood announced that there was one item not on the agenda: Acceptance of the resignation of Treasurer Daniel Wilson, effective May 8, 2026. Ms. Marlowe indicated that he would be missed. Mr. Wilson said that the resignation was due to family issues that need his attention. He thanked the board, and said that he had enjoyed working with the Superintendent and the board.
APPROVED 5-0
8. Legislative Update - None
9. Auburn Career Center Update - None
10. Hearing of the Public - Non-agenda Items - None
11. Executive Session
Mrs Smallwood asked for a motion to adjourn to Executive Session for the consideration of the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official. She announced that there would be no action taken upon return to regular session.
APPROVED 5-0
The meeting was adjourned to Executive Session at 6:49 pm.
Next meeting: April 8, 2026 - Regular Meeting, 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: March 26, 2026
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