In an effort to continue our district-wide push for efficiency, compliance, and responsible stewardship of resources, Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools took a big step forward this week.
Superintendent Andreas Johansson and Treasurer Ben Marko made a trip across state lines to an undisclosed lime mine in Pennsylvania, where a long-forgotten collection of district records had been stored off-site years ago.
With the support of our Maintenance team back in Newton Falls, the files were safely returned and offloaded — with the help of a forklift — so we could begin the next stage of the process: sorting, cataloging, and properly disposing of records in accordance with state law.
“Every record has a lifecycle — and honoring that process is part of running a transparent, accountable district.”
– Andreas Johansson, PhD, Superintendent
🗂️ What Is a Records Retention Policy?
Ohio law requires public schools to follow a records retention schedule, which outlines how long each type of document must be kept — and when it can legally be destroyed.
These schedules are developed and approved by the Ohio History Connection and the Auditor of State, and they apply to everything from payroll files and student records to board minutes and maintenance logs.
Simply put: some records must be kept permanently, while others can and should be disposed of after a set period of time.
Following this policy ensures we:
- Stay compliant with state and federal regulations
- Avoid unnecessary risk
- Free up valuable storage space
- Streamline our operations for better focus and efficiency
“Cleaning up records isn’t just housekeeping — it’s about protecting data, staying legal, and saving taxpayer dollars.”
– Ben Marko, Treasurer
💰 Taxpayer Savings and Operational Gains
Why does this matter to our community? Because storing, managing, and retrieving outdated or duplicate documents costs time and money — both of which are valuable public resources. By responsibly disposing of what is no longer needed, we reduce:
- Storage costs (physical and digital)
- Time spent locating records
- Risks of handling sensitive or outdated materials improperly
More importantly, this is part of a larger effort to build a modern, responsive, and effective school district — one that prioritizes good governance and respects the public trust.
🙌 Thanks to Our Team
We’d like to extend special thanks to our Maintenance Team, who assisted in receiving and handling the return shipment. Their support ensured this was a smooth and safe process.
This may seem like a behind-the-scenes task — but it’s part of a bigger picture of efficiency, accountability, and pride in how Newton Falls Schools operates.
“We’re not just educating students — we’re modeling responsible public leadership in everything we do.”
– Andreas Johansson, PhD, Superintendent
If you have questions about records retention policies, contact us at the Board Office, and we’d be happy to answer your questions.