Brunswick School Superintendent Mike Mayell plans his exit

BRUNSWICK — For the second time, Superintendent Michael Mayell is stepping down from Brunswick Schools. He notified district employees on Friday that he had advised the school board of his intention to resign at the end of the school year. Mayell had retired in July 2019 but had agreed to come back to help the district through the building phase of Brunswick Middle School. Mayell has worked for the district for 20 years, 12 as superintendent. Throughout his tenure, a news release said his driving motivation has been to prepare students for the future through relentless dedication to excellence. In an email to employees, he expressed his gratitude for working with such high-caliber teachers, support staff and administrators who work tirelessly to serve Brunswick students every day. "Earlier in the week, I informed our Board of Education about my intent to resign my position," he wrote. "It is hard to believe that I have been a Blue Devil for the past 20 years. I feel very lucky to have worked for such a special district like Brunswick and it has been a wonderful experience to work with such talented and caring people like you. Thank you for all that you have done and for what you will continue to do for our students." The board also issued a statement thanking Mayell for his service to the Brunswick community through his many contributions to the school district. Board President Rich Nowak said the board has been notified and will start its search for a successor. He said he's not sure how long it's going to take and whether the board will utilize the Educational Service Center of Medina County to help find a new superintendent. "The board takes this very seriously," he said. "It's one of the most important things we do." Nowak said he holds Mayell in high regard. "He's given us everything he has," he said. "He's been with us for his entire administrative life. He's done a great job in that 12 years as a superintendent. He's been loyal, worked hard and done everything we've asked him to do. I'm very proud of him." The $65 million middle school construction project, which was finished last fall, was the largest in district history. Nowak said it came in under budget. "This would allow the middle school project to move forward without a change in leadership," Mayell said previously when he elected to stay on after retirement. Mayell earned an annual salary of $114,000 this year, roughly 25 percent less than his former wages. The amount he earned in the State Teachers Retirement System is not part of public record. Prior to becoming superintendent, Mayell served five years as the principal of Brunswick High School. Prior to that, he worked as the principal of Visintainer Middle School, assistant principal at North Royalton Middle School and as a high school math teacher at North Royalton High School. "He decided it was time," Nowak said. "That's certainly his choice. I'll be sorry to see him go." Contact reporter Bob Finnan at (330) 721-4049 or rfinnan@medina-gazette.com.