Board of Trustees

Jolynn McFerren grew up in a family of educators in Northwest Ohio, and graduated from BGSU with a Bachelor’s in Education as well. She and her husband, Brent, are 24-year residents of Sagamore Hills, and have three children who have grown up in the Nordonia Schools—Aidan and Campbell are graduates and currently in college, and Keira is a junior at Nordonia High School. Jolynn is now in her 13 th year as owner/educator of Namaste Yoga Studio. She has been an active volunteer in all aspects of PTA and with a variety of organizations in the area, and is honored and humbled to be the newest Executive Director of the Nordonia Schools Foundation as of September 2023 and hopes to continue to create positive change in the community and for the schools in years to come.

Nicole grew up in Macedonia and graduated from Nordonia High School in 2003. In 2007, she was recruited by her father, David Fike, to join the Nordonia Schools Foundation. Through a deep passion for nonprofit work and the Nordonia community, Nicole gratefully accepted the Executive Director position in 2014. During her time as Executive Director, Nicole enjoyed building bridges in the community and sharing in the successes of the students and staff at Nordonia. Nicole has since joined the Board of Trustees and looks forward to continuing to make a positive impact in Nordonia through the Nordonia Schools Foundation.

Anne Bruno has served as a trustee and foundation liaison to the Knights Caring for Knights weekend food assistance program since 2014. During this time, the Foundation has become a member agency of the Akron- Canton Regional Foodbank and expanded the program from serving three K-4 schools to the entire school district in coordination with district personnel. Anne has been active member in the Nordonia community serving in various volunteer roles including leadership positions in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at Rushwood Elementary, Nordonia High School and for the PTA Council, coaching softball teams for Nordonia Hills Athletic Association (NHAA) and volunteering for many different roles at Saint Barnabas Church. Anne is the parent of Nordonia graduates, Catherine Bruno, Class of 2014 and Michaela Bruno, Class of 2016 who launched the Knights Caring for Knights program in spring, 2012. The Foundation is a hidden gem of our community and Anne encourages parents of current and graduates of Nordonia to learn more about the Foundation and invites you to become active in the Foundation.

David Fike grew up in Macedonia where he still resides with his wife, Karen, both alumni of Nordonia. David has four children, all whom also graduated from Nordonia. A local business owner, member of several organizations within Nordonia, and an avid volunteer, David’s roots run deep in the community. David was one of the founding member of the Nordonia Schools Foundation, and continues to be a valuable asset as a trustee.

Dayle Lahrmer has lived in Macedonia since 1975. She raised five children here that all graduated from Nordonia High School. Three of them still live in the community and six grandchildren attend or graduated from Nordonia. When her children were in school, she was involved in the Middle School and High School PTA’s and Booster Club. She also was vice-president and president of the Nordonia Hills Athletic Association for twenty years. She joined be Board of the Foundation in 2018 and has been the treasurer since then. The Lahrmer family has always been active in the Nordonia Schools and supports them any way they can.

Morgan Wiggins, a Macedonia resident, is a nurse educator at The Ohio State University, so education is near and dear to her heart. She removed her son from private school during the COVID shut down and tried Nordonia Schools starting in second grade without knowing much about the district having just moved from another county in 2016. Their experience with the teachers and staff in the Nordonia Hills School District has been phenomenal. Morgan joined the Nordonia Schools Foundation as a Trustee and volunteer secretary in an effort to give back. School districts need monetary support to provide education and services to our kids, and Morgan is proud to help fundraise toward these efforts, and do her part to support the students, staff, and outstanding teachers in this district.

Rob McMinn graduated from Nordonia in 1968. The education he received through 13 years in the Nordonia School System enabled his success in obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Akron, as well as success professionally as a CPA and Managing Partner in a local CPA firm. Tne Nordonia Schools Foundation provides Rob with opportunities to give back, by providing financial assistance to students through scholarships and grants.

Debbie McNellie is a third-grade teacher at Rushwood Elementary where she has been teaching since 2013.  She is a 29-year resident of Sagamore Hills, and has three children that attended and graduated from Nordonia Schools: Brooke, 26; Spencer, 22; and Jensen, 19.  Debbie’s father, Francis “Bud” McNellie was also her high school principal. He went on to found the Bedford Schools Foundation, in which he is still active.  Because of his dedication to public education, she was inspired to follow in his footsteps and was thrilled to be asked to join the Nordonia Schools Foundation as a trustee in 2024.