May 16, 2025

Dear CHS Community,

The signs of the school year coming to a close are all around us. Our seniors have completed their regular classes and have transitioned to their senior projects. At Valley View Woods, we enjoyed two special events - our kindergarteners' amazing "Day in the Life" performance and the annual 5th grade picnic. Advanced Placement testing has also concluded, marking another milestone in our academic calendar.

As we move through these final weeks, I encourage all students to maintain their focus and finish the year strong. This is the time to solidify learning, complete final projects, and end on a positive note that sets the stage for next year's success.

As a reminder, next Wednesday will be an early release day as we host the OHSAA Division III District Track and Field Meet. Please review the details provided elsewhere in this newsletter regarding dismissal times and procedures. We appreciate your flexibility as we showcase our facilities and welcome student-athletes from across the region.

Finally, as part of my commitment to keeping our community informed about issues affecting Cuyahoga Heights Schools, I want to provide an update on House Bill 96 (HB 96), currently moving through the Ohio legislature (Please see below.)

Reaching New Heights Together,

Matt Young
Superintendent

What is House Bill 96?
House Bill 96 is the state operating budget bill for fiscal years 2026-2027. This bill, introduced by the 136th General Assembly, makes state operating appropriations for the next two fiscal years and includes various policy changes related to state operations, including education funding.

Current Status
HB 96 has passed the Ohio House of Representatives and is now being considered by the Ohio Senate. By law, the budget bill must be passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor by June 30, 2025, before the new fiscal year begins on July 1. I will continue to provide regular updates as this legislation progresses.

Key Provisions and Potential Impact
One significant provision in HB 96 would require county budget commissions to reduce property tax millage rates for school districts with cash balances exceeding 30% of their annual operating expenditures. Based on our current five-year forecast, this could have significant implications for our district:

• If implemented as currently written, our district could see approximately $10 million reduction in property tax revenue in fiscal year 2026

• Our cash reserves would drop from 78.9% to 23.4% in just one year

• According to projections, by 2028, this could result in a negative fund balance

Our Engagement
Last week, I joined CHS Treasurer, Matt Muccio, and other superintendents and treasurers from across our local senator’s region to discuss these concerns. There appears to be recognition of several important considerations:

• The need for exemptions regarding facility projects and maintenance needs

• The importance of local decision-making in school finances

• Recognition that different districts face different challenges

Why This Matters
Cuyahoga Heights Schools has maintained responsible fiscal management with:

• 13 consecutive years of a positive cash balance

• A reasonable levy cycle (2003, 2012, 2024)

• Strategic cash balance management with planned reductions from 97.6% (FY24) to 18.6% (FY29)

• Careful planning for our aging facilities (nearly 90 years old)

Our fiscally responsible cash reserves are not excess funds but represent carefully planned resources that ensure educational stability despite our unique challenges. We rank 600 out of 609 districts on the OFCC facility funding list, meaning we receive virtually no state support for our aging buildings.

Next Steps
I am closely monitoring this legislation and advocating for reasonable approaches that acknowledge our district's specific circumstances. As discussions continue in the Senate, there appears to be openness to modifications addressing facility needs, local control, and long-term planning.

I am committed to providing regular updates as the budget process continues. If you have questions or would like more information about HB 96 and its potential impact on our schools, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Supporting Student Well-Being During High-Stress Periods

The end of the school year can bring increased stress as students complete final projects, take exams, and prepare for transitions. Supporting student well-being during this time is essential for both academic success and health. Here are some tips to help manage end-of-year stress:

Preschool-5th Grade:

• Maintain consistent routines for comfort and stability

• Build in daily physical activity and outdoor time

• Practice simple relaxation techniques together

• Keep expectations reasonable and age-appropriate

6th-8th Grade:

• Encourage regular breaks during study sessions

• Teach time management to prevent last-minute pressure

• Provide healthy snacks and meals for energy

• Listen without judgment to concerns and worries

9th-12th Grade:

• Help prioritize commitments during busy periods

• Encourage sufficient sleep, even when schedules are tight

• Model healthy stress management techniques

• Maintain perspective on the relative importance of end-of-year activities

For All Students: 

• Balance academic demands with enjoyable activities

• Maintain open communication about feelings and needs

• Recognize signs of unhealthy stress 

• Celebrate progress and efforts along the way

Remember, supporting well-being during stressful periods helps students perform better and develops important life skills for managing future challenges!

At the May 14 meeting, the Cuyahoga Heights Board of Education approved the appointment of Paul Gerycz as Athletic and Activities Director, for a two-year period effective August 1, 2025. 

A 35-year career educator, Gerycz comes to the Cuyahoga Heights Schools from Cardinal Local Schools where he was Junior-Senior High School Principal from August 2022-February 2025. He also served as a High School Assistant Principal in the Parma City Schools from August 2019-July 2022, the Highland Local Schools (Medina) from August 2017-July 2019, and the Buckeye Local Schools (Medina) from August 2015-July 2017. 

Gerycz’s teaching experience includes multiple subjects and grade levels, (physical education, English/study skills,and fifth grade) in the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District from August 1991-July 1998 and the Brunswick City School District from August 1998-July 2015.  

Gerycz has a wealth of coaching experience. This includes girls’ and boys’ high school basketball (varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen); middle school basketball; middle school football; girls’ and boys’ track (varsity, junior high); and baseball (varsity).

Read full story here.

Cuyahoga Heights Schools has once again demonstrated its commitment to financial integrity, earning the Auditor of State Award for a clean audit report for Fiscal Year 2024. The district has received numerous Auditor of State awards for clean audits over the years. Jennifer Drlik, regional liaison with the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, presented the award at the May 14 Board of Education meeting.

The Auditor of State Award is given to local governments and school districts that meet the highest standards of financial accountability following the completion of a financial audit. To qualify, entities must file timely financial reports in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and have no audit findings, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or questioned costs. According to Mrs. Drlik, of the nearly 6,000 annual audits they conduct, only 17% achieve the same designation.

Additionally, the entity’s management letter must be free of concerns related to ethics, timely reporting, bank reconciliations, audit compliance, and public records or meeting issues. Cuyahoga Heights Schools met all these criteria, reflecting the district's continued excellence in fiscal stewardship.

Superintendent Matt Young, Treasurer Matt Muccio, and Board of Education members expressed gratitude to the treasurer’s office staff for their ongoing dedication to transparency and responsibility in managing public funds.

Current: Freshman | Sophomores | Juniors

The teachers at Cuyahoga Heights High School are donating their time to offer ACT Prep Classes for current Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors.

In the spring sessions, students will get test taking tips by subject, take a practice test in that subject, and then review the test.

In the summer sessions, students will receive more extensive test taking tips by subject, take a practice test in that subject, and review the test.

On August 10, students will take a full-length practice test (all 4 subjects) and get scaled scores.

These courses are free but require the purchase of the book. You can purchase it on Amazon by clicking here: The Princeton Review 2025 ACT Review.

Please call Mrs. Connors in the main office at 216-429-5708 to register your child for one or all of the available dates.

To celebrate not only meeting - but surpassing - our school-wide fundraising goals for the Red Wolf Run, students and staff were invited to an unforgettable magical comedy show by none other than internationally acclaimed entertainer David Anthony!

On Monday, May 12, David Anthony performed two spectacular shows for CHES and CHMS. The first show was an exclusive performance for our Morning Pre-K students in the very same classroom where David Anthony performed his first-ever magic trick as a preschooler at CHES in the 1990s. 

Later that afternoon, the excitement continued as Afternoon Pre-K through 8th grade packed into the high school gym for the main event. From jaw-dropping illusions to laugh-out-loud comedy, David Anthony wowed and amazed us with his magical talents and comedic performance. Several students from the audience were invited on stage to participate and even Middle/High School Principal Mr. DeTray assisted with a more cutting edge stunt that held us all in suspense. David Anthony juggled bowling balls and made objects vanish in plain sight - all while filling the gym with laughter and wonder!

The CHS PTO extends a heartfelt THANK YOU to David Anthony helping us celebrate the achievements of our students and providing two amazing shows! It was an inspiring and memorable day that our students and staff won’t soon forget! Learn more about David Anthony and his incredible talents here: https://danthonymagic.com/

Students in Mrs. Douglas’s and Ms. Cellura’s classes recently completed a career development unit led by Mrs. Regula, Career Specialist from CVCC. Over the course of four visits, students explored a variety of careers and began to understand the steps involved in choosing a future path.

The unit kicked off with an introduction to the Career Development process. Students learned about its stages and why early exploration is important. They started with Career Awareness, where they brainstormed careers they already knew and reflected on the people and experiences that have influenced them so far.

In another session, students met Tina Redcliff, Activities Director at Vista Springs. Ms. Redcliff shared what it’s like to work with the elderly and how she uses creativity and compassion to keep her residents active and engaged.

Students also had a hands-on lesson with Chrissy Cogen from Metropolitan Veterinary Academy. She talked about the roles of Veterinary Assistant, Vet Tech, and Veterinarian, explaining the education required and potential salaries. Students got to interact with "Jerry" the guinea pig, fill out sample intake forms, and even practice bandaging a stuffed animal.

Another highlight was a series of hands-on career labs. Students followed blueprints to build structures, connected electrical circuits, reviewed x-rays, assembled anatomy aprons, practiced logistics, and tested their sea life knowledge. After each activity, they evaluated their interest and matched their skills to possible careers.

In the final session, students learned about different types of work environments—active vs. sedentary jobs—and whether roles involved working with people, things, or animals. They worked in groups to explore how these factors apply to various occupations.

This unit was just the beginning of the students' career development journey. Mrs. Regula will continue building on this foundation each year, guiding students toward creating a personalized career plan.

We are excited to announce that this year's Cuyahoga Heights Youth Football Camp will take place July 28-30 from 10 a.m. - noon.

WHO:
Rising 3rd-6th Graders, Grades based on the 2025-2026 school year

PLACE:
All instruction will take place at Cuyahoga Heights High School football practice fields
4820 East 71st Street
Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio 44125

STAFF:
Cuyahoga Heights High School/Middle School Coaches
Cuyahoga Heights High School Players/Alumni

COST:
The cost for the camp will be $20 per camper
This includes a camp T-shirt and snacks

EQUIPMENT:
Each camper should come with their own water bottle.
Please wear shorts, a T-shirt, and cleats. In the case of inclement weather, please bring tennis shoes to wear inside.

HOW TO SIGN UP:
To sign up, use the following link:
Cuyahoga Heights Youth Football Camp

HOW TO PAY:
Submit payments to Elementary or Middle/High School Offices

Make checks payable to: CHS Athletic Boosters

QUESTIONS:
Please contact via email

Coach Nate Bryk: nbryk@cuyhts.org
Coach Jory Huffman: jhuffman@cuyhts.org

On behalf of the Class of 2018, we invite our school community to join us in honoring the memory of Officer Jacob Derbin—a proud Cuyahoga Heights graduate and dedicated public servant. The event will commemorate Jacob’s life and legacy with the unveiling of a permanent monument in his honor. Please see the flyer for details.

Jacobs Ladder Special Needs Fitness Annual Bike Ride

Date: June 8, 2025
Location: Start at Bacci Park
Ride Time: 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Volunteer Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch: 2 p.m.

For more information, please contact:
Tony D'Orazio
440-225-2365
tdorazio@att.net

Dan D'Orazio
440-670-1151
danjdorazio@gmail.com