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Governor John R. Kasich announces that Charles M. Froehlich, 67, Avon Lake City Schools School Board President, has been appointed to the State Board of Education (District 2) for a term beginning March 26, 2018, and ending December 31, 2018. Froehlich submitted his resignation to the Avon Lake Board of Education effective March 23. The school board has 30 days to appoint a replacement.
Froehlich was re-elected to the Avon Lake Board of Education in November 2017. The term began January 1, 2018 and expires Dec. 31, 2021.
District 2 includes Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Erie, Huron, Lorain counties and the majority of Fulton County. The board develops policy on statewide education issues. The State Board of Education is made up of 19 members – 11 who are elected and eight who are appointed by the governor.
Froehlich replaces Avon resident Kathleen McGervey, who resigned her seat on the Ohio School Board on January 6, 2018. She was first elected to the board in November 2010 and took office in January 2011. She was re-elected in 2014.
“We are going to miss Mr. Froehlich,” said Robert Scott, Avon Lake City Schools superintendent. “His ability to look at the big picture has really been a benefit to the Avon Lake City Schools for the long-term. He is committed to serving his community, and his heart and mind have always been in the best interest of kids. The experience he brings as a businessman has been invaluable as he has been very astute in the financial issues facing our school district.”
Froehlich has been a member of the Avon Lake Board of Education for the past 16 years. He was appointed to the Board of Education in 2002 to fill a vacancy due to the resignation of then President Dr. Terrence Ryan. He was then elected to serve the balance of the term in 2003. Froehlich was re-elected to serve a four-year term in 2005, 2009 and 2013. He represents Avon Lake on the Lorain County Joint Vocational School Board of Education. He has also been involved in district levy campaigns, district reorganization meetings and curriculum recommendations.
“I have mixed emotions,” said Froehlich regarding his decision to make a change. “I have had an exciting time on the Avon Lake School Board and we’ve accomplished a great deal. Improved security at all the campuses, the transportation center, stadium renovations, additional class rooms and technology enhancements too numerous to list. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, had to navigate State testing requirements, among other State issues, but we’ve always managed to overcome and continue to be a successful school district. On the financial side of things, it’s almost been like being in a whirlwind for the last 12 years. In Avon Lake we’ve had to deal with the ownership changes at the Power Plant and the NRG changes which often seemed like an uphill battle, but we managed to achieve financial stability. Every two years it seems like the State changes its funding formula. We never know how much we will receive, but it is not much. We work very hard to be fiscally responsible to our community.”
Froehlich is graduate of Northeastern University in Boston earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. He received an Executive Master of Business Administration Degree from Kent State University. After 45 years of experience in manufacturing technical ceramics, he retired in June of 2017. Froehlich has worked for both Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. His last position was Plant Manager for Momentive Performance Materials, Inc. at the Strongsville Ceramics Facility. It is this business experience that he believes will serve him well in Columbus and is what attracted him to the position on the State board.
“In my 40 years working in manufacturing in Ohio, one of things we constantly hear is that there is a brain drain in Ohio. As a manufacturing manager, I have witnessed the brain drain, but there is also a lot of skills in the workforce in Ohio. I wanted to be on the State school board because I want people to see that there are a lot of great paying jobs that do not require a four-year degree. We need to expand our career exploration and continue those partnerships with vocational schools, and colleges and universities. We are creating the talent that Ohio needs to take us into the future.”
Froehlich is married to Carol, who is also retired. Their two sons, Dan and Bill, are graduates of Avon Lake High School. Chuck’s community involvement includes five years as the Cub Master for Pack 332 in Avon Lake and eight years as a soccer coach with the Avon Lake Youth Soccer Association. His Avon Lake City School leadership in swimming led to the establishment of swimming as a varsity sport in 1996.
“It has been a great honor to serve on the Avon Lake Board of Education with Chuck,” said Pam Ohradzansky, Avon Lake City Schools Board of Education member. “He has been true leader, committed to the educational excellence of Avon Lake’s students. He will be missed greatly, but I am excited that he will have the opportunity to make a positive difference for all of Ohio’s students.”
Process to Fill Vacancy on Avon Lake Board of Education Due to Resignation of Charles Froehlich, effective 03/23/2018
Ohio Revised Code requires a Board of Education to fill a vacancy within 30 days of a member’s resignation.
Application packets may be picked up at the District Office of the Avon Lake City School District (175 Avon Belden Road) from Monday, April 2, 2018 through Monday, April 9, 2018 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Completed applications must be returned to the District Office of the Avon Lake City Schools by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
The School Board will interview selected applicants at a Special Board of Education meeting on Monday, April 16, 2018.
