WESTFIELD TWP. – At a special meeting on Nov. 6, the Cloverleaf Board of Education appointed township resident Matt Morel to fill an
open seat on the board, created when Dr. Rhonda Wurgler resigned her position effective Oct. 17. Wurgler is relocating and no longer will be a resident of the school district.
Morel, who owns a local greenhouse, grew up in Medina and is a 2015 graduate of the University of Akron, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and criminal justice. He graduated from the university’s police academy in 2016. Morel and his wife, Kaitlyn, are the parents of a 2-year-old daughter, Riley.
Prior to launching his business in 2022, Morel served as a probation officer in Medina County Juvenile Court, where he worked closely with area school districts and saw firsthand the positive impact community support and a strong educational foundation can have on children.
“The most rewarding thing was seeing a juvenile successfully complete our program,” he said. “I could see them grow. I could see them mature. They would get into a career they enjoyed or go to college. They would come back to see me and they were excited. They wanted to show you their growth.”
Morel, 34, wants to bring that experience and passion for making a difference in the lives of kids to his role as a school board member.
“What’s more important than putting forth our efforts and time into young adults? They are simply the future of our society,” he said.
Board of education President Jason Myers said Morel brings a valuable perspective to the position.
“Matt represents a segment of our local Cloverleaf community that we believed we were missing – the younger parent with no kids in the district yet,” Myers said. “We currently have a good mix of board members who are either alumni or have had their kids go through the Cloverleaf system. A fresh, outside view is something the board welcomes as we continue to look toward the future.”
As an appointee, Morel will serve through 2025. If he wishes to continue in office, he must file to run as a candidate in the November 2025 General Election.