A MEMORABLE TRANSITION: FRESH LEADERSHIP, NEW BEGINNINGS
A
B Y E M M A KO L I C K
s Mr. Gurka announced his plans to retire at the con- versity encouraged its students to diversify clusion of the current school year following an out- their skill set by taking a variety of courses in standing eight years as district superintendent, the a range of subjects, thus allowing him to find North Royalton Board of Education immediately set a love for education and helping students, out to find an equally remarkable candidate who would ensure leading to an extensive educational career. the prioritization of students as the heart of education. UnderFurthering his knowledge through obgoing a comprehensive and thorough search, involving over taining a master’s degree in education from Cleveland State Uniforty applicants and numerversity and a superintenous interviews, the board dent’s license from Bowling worked diligently in finding Green State University, he a candidate whose experibegan at Strongsville Middle ences would allow for a conSchool as both a teacher and tinued improvement on the a coach, as he played footdistrict’s exceptional legacy ball and baseball in college. in providing students with Serving as vice principal, immense academic and soand later principal, at varicial opportunities. ous local schools, he delved Narrowing the search into the administrative level to two final candidates, the as Human Resources Direcsuperintendent position tor at Westlake City Schools. was ultimately granted to Eventually extending his Mr. Laub, whose immense leadership into his role as educational knowledge and Avon superintendent, he experience as Avon City has remained in this posiSchools superintendent for tion for just under a decade. just under a decade allowed With the board him to distinguish himself searching for a candidate As the administrative team and Board of Education from the abundance of qualithat would provide for an orgaalike celebrated this momentous transition for the fied applicants vying to lead the nized way in which to improve first time in nearly a decade, him and his daughter, district. Marking a transition of upon the already fantastic Brooke, and wife, Julie, stood closely together just momentous change, this transchool district, a core quality of outside of Serpentini Chevrolet Stadium. sition of leadership serves as a a potential nominee included symbol of great success, as Laub approaching education with meets and exceeds almost every qualification both the administra- the students at the center of each decision. As prior knowledge tive team and the board alike hoped to see in the next superinten- and interaction with kids is salient in order to fully embody this dent. Signing a three-year contract that is set to begin on July 1, he principle, qualified applicants were expected to hold a substantial showcases a genuine passion for kids and education, evident in his history in connecting with students across all levels and successpast experiences at both prior scholastic roles and college itself. fully utilizing resources to improve the quality of education pro “When I took my very first education class, I fell in love vided. with it,” said Laub, new superintendent of North Royalton City “We wanted someone with experience in the position,” Schools. “I went home, looked at my mom and dad, and told said Mrs. Dolezal, President of the North Royalton Board of them I wanted to teach and coach the rest of my life,” he con- Education. “We want to remain a quality district that provides tinued passionately. Initially attending Baldwin Wallace with a opportunities and growth for the students through supporting particular interest in accounting and criminal justice, the uni- them academically, socially, and providing for their interests,” 8
|
T H E ROYA L N EWS
