Chagrin Falls Board of Education Recognizes State Representative Marlene Anielski

At this week’s Chagrin Falls Board of Education meeting, State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) was recognized for her exemplary support and advocacy for public education, including the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools.

The number of projects and partnerships between Representative Anielski and the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools has continued to increase each year.  Just recently, she introduced legislation that passed, creating an additional funding source for the school district of Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools through the sale of specialty license plates.  With the purchase of these plates, the district will receive additional funding that will be designated to assist in the emotional and mental wellbeing of the students.

This past spring, Representative Anielski voted in support of Senate Bill 310, legislation that helps fund various community improvement projects, including The Chagrin Falls Center for Community Arts project, which received $600,000 in funding.  This allows the school district to engage the local community in a two year process, creating a facility master plan that meets 21st century educational needs, honors the value and tradition of a school within the village, and creates synergistic partnerships to grow the arts community, resulting in continued economic growth.

One of the most impactful partnerships the district has had with Representative Anielski is the Ski Box/Guardian Angel program.  Locked wooden boxes, visibly placed in the schools, are designed for students to anonymously place written notes in the box when there is a concern about themselves or others.  An employee checks the boxes daily for notes and seeks appropriate guidance.  House Bill 543, The Jason Flatt Act, in honor of Joseph Anielski, requires school districts, community schools, STEM schools and educational service centers to train teachers and certain other staff for free in youth suicide awareness and prevention. 

Chagrin Falls Middle/High School was the first school in Northeast Ohio to achieve the “Heart Safe School Accreditation” from the Sudden Arrhythmia Death Syndromes (SADS) Foundation.  Representative Anielski played a significant role in promoting this accreditation process where schools participate in a program consisting of seven elements aimed at raising awareness and preventing cardiac arrest.  The district will receive a banner and recognition from Representative Anielski at an upcoming community event this fall.

“Representative Anielski has a long track record of supporting public schools in a variety of arenas, from being an advocate for the social and emotional needs of children to being a key player in helping to solve issues related to testing, per pupil fair funding, and tangible personal property (TTP) tax that impacts our district,” said Chagrin Falls Schools Superintendent Robert Hunt. “We value our positive working relationship with Representative Anielski and appreciate her bringing key players together to solve issues impacting school districts.”

Representative Anielski received a certificate of appreciation from the board. “We thank Representative Anielski for all of her efforts where she advocates for students.  She not only responds to concerns brought to her attention from schools within her district, but she proactively seeks input from school district administrators when she anticipates that legislation may be coming that may potentially impact public education,” said Chagrin Falls Board of Education President Mary Kay O’Toole.

“The success of the projects with the Chagrin Falls Exempted Village School District is a direct result of a team effort,” said Representative Anielski.  “For example, the capital funding would not have been possible without the vision and hard work of the administration and staff of the school district.  I appreciate the meetings and open communication that took place to ensure the highest chance of success.  All of these projects will benefit so many lives throughout the region and I am thrilled that our hard work paid off.”