NEW MEMBER INDUCTION: President Bob Sweitzer led in the induction of Nancy Binzel as a new member of Rotary. After her sponsor, Annie Hanson-Hilaire presented her with her pin, the club welcomed her and Nancy introduced herself. She is currently with Ohio Living Home Health and Hospice, has been President of the Stow-Munroe Falls School Board, is the current president of Citizens for Non-Partisan Politics in Stow and was the former owner of Double Dog Daycare. As we get to know Nancy we will learn more about her varied interests. Welcome, Nancy!
PROGRAM: Gale Stawiery, Program Host, then introduced our speaker, Dr. Felisha Gould, who is the currently Superintendent of the Stow-Munroe Falls School District. Over her career she has received numerous awards and came to this school system in the fall of 2025. Her topic this morning was “Shaping the Future of Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools”, highlighting the strategic planning that is in process for 2026 through 2031. The whole plan will be rolled out at the March 30 Board Meeting at 6:00 at Riverwood Community Chapel. It will serve as the roadmap for the district.
After parents, the community, staff, and students were surveyed and interviewed, the plan was developed with part of the vision stating “We aren't waiting for the future, we are building the future together.” With the plan comes the responsibility to prepare students for the future while honoring the legacy of the community. Strengths such as dedicated teachers and staff, community pride, diverse academic programs and strong programs in athletics and arts were recognized, Needs such as modernization of facilities, communication, and opportunities for diverse learning were also recognized. As the plan developed, board awareness and feedback were included as the goals were established. Students' needs were at the center of the plan, but staff well-being, community engagement, fiscal responsibility and facility upgrades were also included.
Dr. Gould talked about how Rotary might become involved. She mentioned mentorships, career connections, participation in service projects, civic pride, scholarships, and donations to district goals, all as possibilities. Many of those are already ways that Rotary participates, but there could be more coordination.
She promises in the next five years that there will be regular reports of progress, growth in the offering of various new learning opportunities in both the college prep and career fields to prepare students for the evolving workforce. She hopes that trust and transparency will mean that the facts and truth will be reported. And the fact of aging buildings and learning spaces is a reality that will have to be addressed.
In the question and answer section of the presentation, things like the state's proposed cut in property taxes and open enrollment were discussed. Property taxes are 66% of the budget in Stow, so there would have to be another way to make up that income. As for open enrollment, in 2024 it was established that students could only come from neighboring districts or be children of staff. There are now 365 students who come to Stow through open enrollment.
BUSINESS MEETING:
Bob thanked Todd Hearty and Chris Shulby for checking us in this morning and welcoming our visitor Sarah Hegnauer.
Happy Bucks:
Scott Miller shared that his sister has been battling breast cancer but now is 100% cancer free. He is thankful to his nephews who have helped her so much during this time.
Annie Hanson-Hilaire announced that the library foundation's Basket Auction, which will fund facility improvements, is in need of donations of baskets or money to purchase basket items. The week of April 15, bidding will begin. Let Annie know at 330-730-6424 or achanson129@gmail.com if you would like to donate.
Celebrations:
Birthdays: Jeff Film and Elizabeth Eaken both have birthdays next Tuesday. We sang well to Jeff today.
Wedding Anniversary: Debbie and Lloyd Clark celebrate their wedding anniversary tomorrow.
Concern: Gail Mosely has broken her elbow. We hope for fast healing.
Announcements:
Bunny Trail Hop: This event will be Saturday, March 28 from 10:00 to 1:00 at Silver Springs Park. Sign up for one of the shifts as you sign in next week. We will not be in the shelter this year, so let Steve Dunton know if you can bring a pop-up canopy.
Football Books: Dick Hall announced that we will have advertising in our books this year. If you would like to insert your business card, let him know. Cost is $100.00.
Foodbank: The next volunteer date at the Akron-Canton Foodbank will be on Wednesday, April 8 from 4:30 to 6:30. We really need volunteers to offer their time. Plan on it if you can.
Reverse Raffle: The date for the event this year is October 14. A committee for that will be forming soon.
Board Meeting: The minutes of the March meeting are attached to these minutes.
Golf Outing: A form for sponsorships and participant registration is attached to these minutes. The event is June 12.
Interact Project: For their Interact District Project this year, our club is joining 21 high schools in supporting Fostering Hope, which is in Solon, with onsies and sleep sacks. Students are seeking cash to make purchases or donations of the actual items. A donation can be made through Zeffy by using the link https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/
Resolve: Lindsey Malin is chair of getting an Ohio walk started to raise money for Resolve, an organization that supports families with issues of infertility. The walk will take place the morning of April 25 and our club will have a team. To find out more information, go to https://charity.pledgeit.
Respectfully Submitted
Andrea Denton