Newbury BOE Hires New Superintendent
Michelle Mrakovich will take the helm Jan. 1
Newbury Schools Board of Education members had a couple of reasons to smile during Monday’s regular meeting.
Newbury Schools Board of Education members had a couple of reasons to smile during Monday’s regular meeting.
Not only did the district recently pass a large school levy to help it stay afloat, it will have a new person, but familiar face, at the helm.
Before the school board went into executive session Monday night, members unanimously approved the appointment of high school Principal Michelle Mrakovich to replace retiring Superintendent Richard Wagner.
Wagner announced earlier this year that he leave the district as of Dec. 31.
Mrakovich, who was hired as high school principal July 2013, will take over the superintendent’s position on Jan. 1.
Her seven-month contract will extend through July 31 and her salary of $92,000 will be prorated for the 2014-2015 school year.
“This is a great move for the district. Mrs. Mrakovich will be a terrific superintendent,” Wagner said.
Mrakovich spent five years as a manufacturing supervisor at Delphi Automotive Systems in Warren before taking her first position at Mayfield Middle School in 2001.
There, she started teaching in a self-contained classroom of children who had educational needs different from those in regular classrooms. Some of them were hearing-impaired and her skills as a licensed intervention specialist, able to use sign language for communicating, were called into service.
Mrakovich also taught language arts and social studies. Her Bachelor of Science in Education Degree is from Kent State University and her master’s degree in educational administration is from Ursuline College in Pepper Pike.
A round of applause from Mrakovich’s co-workers greeted the unanimous vote.
Treasurer Nancy McPeak said she would inform the other applicants the board decided to hire from within the district, adding she has a stack of applications about two inches thick.
Wagner also expressed his appreciation Monday night to the Newbury residents for passing the additional five-year, 8-mill emergency operating levy on Nov. 4.
According to the unofficial vote count, the levy passed by about 20 votes, 1,145 to 1,125.
“We’ll know for sure Nov. 20,” said Wagner, referring to when the election is certified.
“I know how difficult it is to vote ‘yes’ for a levy,” he added.
When people are on a fixed income or have lost a job, it is hard to pay increased taxes to keep the local school functioning, Wagner said.
He credited those who came out to support the levy, which will cost homeowners $280 annually per $100,000 of property valuation and yield $1.35 million per year.
Said Wagner, “In Newbury, the kids come first.”
The district has struggled fiscally for several years. In May, voters said no to a five-year, 8-mill additional emergency operating levy by an 871-808 vote, so board members were relieved that the same levy passed this time around.
