Nordonia School Board Votes on Deep Cuts With Bigger Decisions Ahead

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In a marathon session marked by emotional discussions and difficult decisions, the Nordonia Hills City School District Board of Education approved extensive budget reductions on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, while taking steps to preserve critical mental health services for elementary students. The decisions came during a packed meeting at Northfield Elementary School as the district grapples with a $4.4 million deficit ahead of a crucial May levy vote.

Full agenda here.

The board approved several significant staffing cuts that will reshape the district’s operations:

  • Elimination of 4 middle school teaching positions—one each in Math, Science, English, and Social Studies. This will result in larger class sizes and the elimination of the team planning period.
  • Elimination of 5.5 high school teaching positions over the next two years, affecting staff in Art, Math, Spanish, English, Social Studies, and German. This will increase class sizes and reduce elective options, including the elimination of German as a language offering in 2026-27.
  • Elimination of 11 paraprofessional positions, reducing student support in classrooms, particularly for special education services. Some positions may be reinstated based on student needs over the summer.
  • Elimination of 13 dedicated building substitutes, requiring teachers to cover more absences.
  • Elimination of the high school in-school suspension program, requiring the high school to handle suspensions internally.
  • Reduction of custodial and student supervisor positions, which will lead to longer cleaning rotations and require principals and teachers to assist with lunch and recess monitoring.
  • Elimination of the social-emotional learning curriculum (7 Mindsets) at the middle and high school levels, shifting the responsibility for SEL instruction onto teachers.

The district will also eliminate its YMCA-operated in-school suspension program at the high school and discontinue the Seven Mindsets social-emotional learning curriculum at secondary levels.

Clinical Counseling Services Preserved

In a notable decision, the board voted 3-1 to reject the proposed elimination of K-6 clinical counseling services. Board members expressed strong concerns about removing mental health support for elementary students, with board member McKinley describing how children in crisis often can’t effectively learn without proper support.

“A child in crisis is not necessarily being naughty,” McKinley explained during the meeting. “Their mind is in a state of crisis or survival… Until they have been able to process those things, they’re not going to be able to learn.”

Fee Increases and Program Changes

The board approved fee increases across various student activities:

  • High school athletic fees will rise from $280 to $308 per sport
  • Middle school athletic fees will increase from $140 to $154 per sport
  • Similar increases will apply to band, choir, and other extracurricular activities

Transportation Decision Delayed

The board indefinitely tabled discussions about potential transportation reductions that could affect over 2,000 students. Two options under consideration include eliminating all high school busing or reducing transportation to state minimum requirements, which would eliminate service for students living within two miles of their schools.

Financial Outlook

Superintendent Casey Wright emphasized that these reductions, while difficult, are necessary given the district’s financial situation. “At some level, we’re going to have to make some really, really hard decisions that comes as close as we can to eliminate deficit spending until we get increased revenue,” Wright stated during the meeting.

The district has also offered a buyout program to employees, with responses due by the end of February. The board approved starting the Reduction in Force (RIF) process, signaling potential additional staff cuts.

Board member Chad Tidmore argued that the cuts don’t go far enough, suggesting the district needs to consider more dramatic measures like closing buildings or moving eighth grade to the high school. However, other board members expressed concern about the impact of deeper cuts on educational quality.

The decisions come as the district prepares for a critical May 2025 levy vote. District officials warned that if the levy fails, even deeper reductions will be necessary to avoid state intervention.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 7 PM at Northfield Elementary School.

The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 7 PM at Northfield Elementary School.

Special Meeting Before Regular School Board Meeting

Regular School Board Meeting 

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