May 24, 2016 – Looking ahead to the 2016-2017 school year, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District Superintendent Dr. Talisa Dixon announced changes to the middle school leadership teams on Tuesday.
Current Roxboro Middle School principal Patrick McNichols will take over at Monticello Middle School in 2016-2017. Mr. McNichols led Roxboro’s efforts to become authorized in International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, and he will take that experience to Monticello as the school undergoes the final year of IB authorization process this fall.
Mr. McNichols will also be at the forefront of the middle schools’ transition to the Wiley swing space in 2017. Heights High School will move out of the space that summer and return to its renovated building at Cedar and Lee. At that time, Monticello and Roxboro Middle will jointly move into Wiley for two years while renovations commence on both of those buildings.
“Mr. McNichols has provided great leadership at Roxboro and has been an asset to the district’s administrative team,” said Dr. Dixon. “He has been successful implementing the IB curriculum there, and I’m confident that he can do the same in leading Monticello.
Current Roxboro Middle assistant principal Denise Lackey will take over as head principal for the school in 2016-2017.
“Rest assured that Roxboro will be left in the capable hands of Ms. Lackey,” added Dr. Dixon. “She has been an integral part of the leadership team there for quite some time, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can accomplish as head principal.”
Current Heights High assistant principal John Fullerman will move to Roxboro to serve as assistant principal. Current Monticello assistant principal Suweeyah Salih will remain in her position there.
Current Monticello head principal Deborah Moore will move to the Board of Education as Coordinator of Student Services, a position that will be open due to the retirement of Dr. Judy Dell’Aquila. Ms. Moore will focus on working with non-public schools, including writing IEPs for students who live in the district but attend private and charter schools.
“Ms. Moore has a background in both special education and administration, which will be critical for her work in Student Services,” said Dr. Dixon. “Her efforts at Monticello have not gone unnoticed. Ms. Moore was instrumental in the academic gains that Monticello has made recently, and we’re appreciative of the leadership she’s provided there.”