CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — After comparing notes last month, Mayor Jim Petras and Cleveland Heights-University Heights School Superintendent Liz Kirby already have some cooperative efforts in the works.

Petras told council on Feb. 2 that he and Kirby met three days earlier “to discuss a lot of opportunities for collaboration between the city and the school district.”

Going forward, they agreed to meet quarterly “to make sure we have good, open lines of communication,” Petras added.

Then at the Feb. 3 CH-UH school board meeting, Kirby announced that the district will return to a “during-the-day” State of Our Schools address.

That will be at the Cleveland Heights Community Center on Feb. 27.

“I’d like to thank Mayor Petras for allowing us to use that space again,” Kirby added.

Refreshments will be served at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting 30 minutes later at 9.

Then in last week’s “email blast” to residents, Cleveland Heights city officials unveiled extended public swim hours at Heights High pool once the swim and diving teams’ seasons ends next month.

After a three-year standoff with former mayor Kahlil Seren, Council President Tony Cuda reached an initial agreement late last year with the school district during his three-month tenure as interim mayor.

Those hours were limited strictly to mornings, but Cuda told residents he expected that would only be temporary.

As of March 16, the pool hours will be expanded for passholders beyond just the previous lap swim times of 6 to 7:30 a.m. Monday through Friday to 6:30 to 8 p.m. on weeknights as well.

The high school natatorium — paid for through a 2013 voter-approved bond issue — will also reopen on Saturdays to Cleveland Heights and University Heights city pool pass holders from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Locker rooms will not be available for public use between 7:30 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. officials noted. Heights High pool will also be closed Feb. 16 for Presidents Day and March 23-29 for spring break.”

“Patrons who arrive before 6:15 pm will need to wait for students to clear out of the locker rooms due to safe sport policies,” city officials added.

New members

In addition to voting in CH-UH school board member Gabe Crenshaw as president and Phil Trimble as vice president at the January organizational meeting, the board of educations also welcomed two new members.

Thomas Hodgkiss-Lilly and Kathi Howard-Primes succeeded departing members Malia Lewis and Jodi Sourini, who did not seek third terms.

Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals Judge Emanuella D. Groves administers the oath of office for CH-UH school board member Kathi Howard-Primes, who will also serve as Treasurer Pro Tem.CH-UH school district

Hodgkiss-Lilly, a realtor with Howard Hanna, real estate attorney and lifelong resident, graduated from Heights High in 2004.

With his four children, ages 7-13, attending CH-UH schools, Hodgkiss-Lilly felt it was his time to contribute.

“Public education is changing at an incredibly rapid rate alongside technological, economic, and cultural change, and I am committed to helping the district navigate it,” Hodgkiss-Lilly said in a district press release.

While this is his first elected position, Hodgkiss-Lilly also serves on the Cleveland Heights Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

A 31-year resident of Cleveland Heights, Howard-Primes is Chief Executive Officer for Momentuum, LLC, which provides educational support services to school districts. She also authored the children’s book “Walking in Ava’s Shoes,” about a girl with ADHD.

“I believe every student deserves access to a high-quality, equitable education — one that prepares them not just for graduation, but for a thriving future,” Howard-Primes said in the district press release.

Both of her grown children attended Gearity Elementary, where Howard-Primes served as PTA president, and her oldest attended Roxboro Middle School. This is her first elected position.

“Now is the time to support academic excellence, community and family engagement, and transparency in governance,” added Howard-Primes, who will also serve as the school board’s Treasurer Pro Tem for 2026.

Heights High grad, dad and Chardon social studies teacher Dan Heintz won re-election to his third term and also took his oath of office Jan. 6.

CH-UH CFO/Treasurer Angele Latham administers the oath of office for school board member Dan Heintz, who was re-elected to serve a third term in November.CH-UH school district

Changing of the guard

Lewis and Sourini were recognized for their eight years of service on the school board and they also discussed some of their future plans and community involvement.

Lewis said her “civilian life” will focus on rehabbing her second knee replacement, cheering on the Heights’ own Laila Edwards with the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team at the Winter Olympics in Milan and figuring out the future of her company, Blue Real Estate.

She also looks forward to tutoring kindergartners regularly once again at Boulevard or elsewhere — something she had to drop as her late parents’ health declined.

“The joy of working with young children should help get me out of my current funk about national and state education policy,” Lewis quipped.

Sourini said she was heartened by the turnout at a recent meeting hosted by the activist group Parents United for Public Schools (PUPS).

“We are fortunate to have so many people in our community who care about — and are advocating for — public education,” Sourini said afterward.

As far as future involvement when she’s once again a “private citizen,” Sourini said she’ll likely stay active in some way.

“It’s really hard to step away completely from something that’s been a huge part of my life and that I care so much about,” Sourini said.

She’s been involved in the district as a parent, in PTA and on the school board for over 15 years.

“There are many great opportunities to volunteer and serve our district and children,” Sourini said, through organizations like the Parent Resource Center, Community in Schools programs, PTA, BOPO and Village Tutors.

“It has been an honor to serve with Malia and Jodi, whose steadfast advocacy has helped create greater opportunities for generations of students to come,” Kirby said.

“Now, I look forward to working with Tom and Kathi as our school district enters its next chapter.”

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