McKinney named director of information systems for Solon City Schools

SOLON, Ohio — Patrick McKinney, who has served as director of technology for the Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools since 2013, has been hired as director of information systems for the Solon City Schools.

On Monday (April 26), the Solon Board of Education approved a two-year contract for McKinney, effective Aug. 1. His annual salary will be $116,124.

McKinney will replace Kirk Miller, the district’s current director of information services, who is retiring July 31 after more than 38 years with the Solon Schools.

Superintendent Fred Bolden described McKinney as a skilled and well-respected information technology professional with extensive experience in education environments.

“Patrick began his career as a local area network administrator at Kent State University and has worked in educational technology at the K-12 and college level for more than 15 years,” Bolden said. “He is a collaborative leader with a strong foundation in technology back-end processes, as well as instructional technology.

“His current district uses many of the same technology tools we use, so we are confident he will be able to hit the ground running. Patrick’s knowledge, skills and leadership will help take the district to the next level in technology applications and efficiencies.”

Leading up to his official start date of Aug. 1, McKinney will work intermittently through the summer alongside Miller to ensure a smooth transition, according to a news release from the district.

“He’s got really huge shoes to fill, with Kirk Miller’s retirement,” Bolden said. “But we really think he’s going to do a fabulous job for us, and we are very excited to have him on board.”

McKinney, who attended the board meeting, said, “Solon, obviously, has a great reputation, and I’m really excited to join such a great district.”

In his new position, McKinney will oversee the operation and maintenance of the district’s electronic network and information technology systems, including all hardware and software systems required to support overall operations, as well as the instructional program.

“As our society moves further into the 21st century, it is vital to ensure that our students are prepared for what lies ahead,” he said in the release.

McKinney noted that a 2016 World Economic Forum Future of Jobs report estimated that 65 percent of students will work in jobs that have not yet been invented.

“Technology is a great tool that can help transform the learning experience,” he said. “By implementing technology, along with problem-based learning and teaching 21st-century skills, we will better prepare our students for their future.”

Prior to heading the technology department in the Willoughby-Eastlake School District, McKinney served as technology coordinator for the Cuyahoga Falls City Schools from 2006 to 2013. He also worked as a local area network administrator for Kent State University from 2004 to 2006.

McKinney, of Cuyahoga Falls, earned a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Kent State University in 2002 and a Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University in 2011.

Retirements approved

In other action, the board approved the retirements of three Parkside Elementary School teachers who have worked in the district for a combined total of nearly 100 years.

They are Chuck Chokenea, reading recovery; Janet Chonko, fourth-grade teacher; and Barbara Kessler, kindergarten teacher. All three retirements are effective Aug. 1.

Chokenea has been with the district for 31 years, Chonko has served the district for 34 years and Kessler has taught in the district for 33 years.

“All three of these people are fabulous workers for us,” Bolden said. “They’ve done a great job. We wish all three of them very well. It’s like the end of an era with them retiring.”

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.