After 16 years of dedicated service to North Royalton City Schools, Kirk Pavelich, lead principal of North Royalton Elementary School, has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024-25 school year.
Pavelich began his career with the district in 2009 as principal of North Royalton Middle School. He went on to lead Royal View Elementary School from 2012 to 2021 before taking on the role of lead principal at the newly opened North Royalton Elementary School in 2021.
“Kirk’s leadership, vision, and commitment to our students and staff have made a lasting impact on this District,” said Superintendent Michael Laub. “He has been a constant presence through periods of change and growth, and we are incredibly grateful for all he has done for our schools and our community.”
Reflecting on his time in North Royalton, Pavelich shared, “It has truly been an honor to serve the students, families, and staff of this District. I’ve been blessed to work alongside so many talented educators and to witness the incredible achievements of our students over the years. North Royalton has been more than a workplace—it’s been a family, and I will cherish the memories we’ve made together.”
Succeeding Pavelich as lead principal will be Vince Ketterer, the current principal of grades 3-4 at North Royalton Elementary School. Ketterer, who joined the District in 2015 as principal of Albion Elementary, brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the school community.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to step into this new role,” said Ketterer. “Working alongside Kirk and our amazing team over the years has been an invaluable experience. I look forward to continuing our mission of providing a caring, supportive, and high-quality learning environment for all of our students.”
The transition is set to take place over the summer, with Ketterer officially assuming the lead principal role at the start of the 2025-26 school year.