School Board Meeting 3-18-25: Nordonia Hills Board Navigates Fiscal Challenges While Unveiling Strategic Plan and Honoring Student Achievement (VIDEO)

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Student and Staff Recognition

Nightly News from the Middle School

• Students from the Nordonia Middle School Nightly News Club presented their broadcasting work
• The club was started two years ago through a grant from the Nordonia Schools Foundation
• Students described how the club has provided opportunities for creativity, public speaking, and media production skills
• The club will transition from an extracurricular activity to a semester-long journalism class next year
• Students showed a video sample of their broadcasts, which include interviews, school announcements, and fun segments like “Old School Middle School Photos”

State Qualifier Recognition

The board recognized several student-athletes who had qualified for state competitions:

1. Wrestling
   • Cecilia Giliam (sophomore) was recognized as the first female state qualifier in wrestling from Nordonia High School
   • She not only qualified but won her first match at the state tournament
   • Coaches Laura and Martin praised her work ethic and competitiveness
2. Swimming
   • The girls swim team had its first-ever relay team qualify for state finals
   • State qualifiers included:
     • Abby Pohlmeyer
     • Olivia Seither
     • Emily Yorkvitz
     • Haley Kaminski
   • The relay team earned All-Ohio status
   • Emily Yorkvitz qualified individually for state in the 200 freestyle and 100 butterfly
   • Haley Kaminski qualified individually for state in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke
   • Coach Glen Yorvitz noted this was the culmination of six years of building the swimming program

Ohio Auditor of State Award

• Kathryn Simo, Northeast Ohio Regional Liaison for the Ohio Auditor of State, presented the district with the Auditor of State Award with Distinction
• This award is given after completion of a clean financial audit
• Only 2-3% of the 6,000 agencies audited by the state receive this award
• Treasurer Kyle Kiefer noted this is the 11th time in 12 years the district has received this award

Strategic Plan Presentation

Superintendent Casey Wright presented the district’s new Strategic Plan, which is now available on the district website. You can find the strategic plan here. The plan focuses on four key components:

1. Building Stability (Finances)

Presented by Treasurer Kyle Kiefer

• Vision: Provide clear and sustainable financial planning for long-term success
• Goal: Maintain fiscal responsibility through collaboration and strategic planning
• Focus on transparency, stakeholder engagement, and data-driven decisions
• Five action areas:
  1. Transparent financial communication
  2. Fiscal sustainability and revenue diversification
  3. Facilities planning and continuous improvement
  4. Ensuring financial and student success
  5. Strategic technology investment and planning

2. Connecting (Communication)

Presented by Dr. Smith

• Vision: Provide trust by communicating openly, celebrating successes, and forming strong partnerships
• Four objectives:
  1. Transparent communication through digital platforms and clear messaging
  2. Strengthening community partnerships with local organizations and businesses
  3. Creating a robust volunteer program (goal of engaging 100+ volunteers)
  4. Celebrating and promoting achievements through newsletters, social media, and district media outlets

3. Optimizing (Facilities)

Presented by Mr. Marlo

• Vision: Provide safe and engaging learning spaces that meet enrollment challenges, funding constraints, and aging building issues
• Four objectives:
  1. Prioritize facility repairs through comprehensive audits
  2. Optimize facility use by analyzing enrollment trends
  3. Secure funding for improvements, safety, and energy efficiency
  4. Strengthen community engagement through facility committees

4. Achieving (Student Achievement)

Presented by Ms. Tongson

• Focus on providing opportunities for students to become critical thinkers and creative problem solvers
• Three main areas:
  1. Communication among educators, professional learning communities, and leadership teams
  2. Refinement of curriculum maps, assessment designs, and instructional strategies
  3. Strengthening student support through tier 2 interventions (academic and behavioral)

The Strategic Plan was developed through extensive community involvement with over 100 individuals participating in 13-14 feedback sessions, answering questions about district strengths, areas for improvement, threats, and dreams for the future.

Personnel Decisions and Budget Reductions

Employee Severance Plan (ESP) Approval

The board approved a severance plan (buyout) that resulted in:

• 11 certified staff (teachers) accepting buyouts
• 17 classified staff accepting buyouts
• 2 teachers (German and AP Psychology) had their buyouts delayed for one year due to their positions being in high-need areas

Reduction in Force (RIF) for Teaching Staff

• Over the past 2.5 years, the district has cut or not replaced 24.5 teaching positions
• Two teachers will be laid off as a result of this RIF:
  1. A high school math teacher
  2. A high school Spanish teacher

Reduction in Force for Non-Teaching Staff

The board approved beginning the RIF process for non-teaching staff, which will affect:

• 11 paraprofessionals
• 2 student supervisors
• 4 custodians The superintendent will work with the union to determine appropriate placement or layoff procedures.

Transportation Reduction Plan Discussion

• A previously tabled proposal to reduce transportation to state minimum levels was brought back for discussion
• The board had requested more details and community feedback
• A survey was conducted to gather community input
• Board members expressed concerns about the impact on families and student attendance
• The motion to reduce transportation services failed (all members voted “no”)
• Board members noted this could be revisited if the May levy doesn’t pass

Financial Updates and Approvals

Treasurer’s Report

• The district received more tax advances in February than in the previous year
• Final tax settlement analysis will be completed for the May forecast
• MGM settlement payment of $2.4 million was received (year 5 of 6)
• Next year will be the final payment of $465,000 from the MGM settlement

Financial Approvals

1. Tax rates for 2025-26 school year:
   • Two-mill reduction coming over the next year as the bond issuance from 2000 is being paid off
   • Current 0.8 mills will reduce to 0.58 mills, and then be completely paid off
2. Filing complaints against valuation of real property:
   • Two separate actions for commercial/industrial properties
   • The district does not file complaints against residential properties
3. Medicaid School Program:
   • Agreement with Julian & Grube for fiscal years 25, 26, and 27
   • Will allow the district to seek reimbursement for eligible services

Other Business

Ohio Schools Council Resolution

• Approved membership in a consortium of 174 schools to lock in energy prices
• Will result in approximately 6% savings on current rates

Contract with Townhall II Integrated Health Network

• $20,000 contract to replace a previously cut position for drug and alcohol prevention
• Cost savings achieved through grant sharing with Townhall

E-Rate Funding for Technology Upgrades

• $38,250 contract with CDW-G for core networking power supplies
• Project will be submitted for a 40% rebate from FCC Federal E-Rate funding
• Technology Director Mike Russ rebid the project to maximize savings

Personnel Changes

• Business Director Stephen Marlow announced his retirement effective 7/31/2025
• Multiple teacher retirements were accepted
• Teacher Joanne Quesenberry voluntarily reduced to 60% time

Meeting Conclusion

The meeting adjourned with the announcement that the next regular meeting would be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 7 PM at Northfield Elementary School.

Key Themes Throughout the Meeting

1. Financial Responsibility: The district demonstrated multiple examples of cost-saving measures, from the employee buyout program to the energy consortium membership and grant-sharing with Townhall.
2. Strategic Planning: The comprehensive strategic plan shows a focus on long-term planning in four key areas.
3. Difficult Budget Decisions: While making cuts to staffing, the board chose to preserve transportation services.
4. Community Involvement: Multiple references to community engagement, from the strategic plan development to the transportation survey.
5. Student Achievement Focus: Despite budget challenges, the focus remains on providing quality education and student support.

This meeting showcased both the challenges facing the district (budget constraints, aging facilities) and its strengths (award-winning financial management, strategic planning, student achievements).