Nordonia Hills board rescinds planned 10% extracurricular fee increase

The Nordonia Hills City Schools Board of Education voted Monday to reverse a previously approved 10% increase in student activity and extracurricular fees, returning rates to last year’s levels.

Board President McKinley and administrators said the board made the change after the district’s operational levy passed and following recommendations from the Finance, Audit and Curriculum (FACT) committee. "Because we were able to generate that new revenue, we were able to keep on that promise," said Mr. Wright (superintendent), explaining the board’s decision to rescind the increase.

The fee rollback was proposed by the FACT committee and brought to the full board for action. Board members said the move was intended to limit additional burdens on families now that levy revenue will support district operations. Karen Byers, speaking during open forum for Nordonia Together PAC, had urged continued community engagement after the levy and said, "Your voice counts just as much as your vote does."

Board members discussed the item during committee and at the meeting; the vote to return fees to the prior structure was approved in a roll call. In announcing the change, board members also said the district will continue to review fees and consider options such as family caps or incentives for activities in future agendas.

The board recorded the vote at the meeting; the motion to rescind the 10% increase passed by roll call. The administration said fee waivers for eligible students (free/reduced lunch qualification) remain in place.

The district did not provide a dollar amount for the fee revenue tied to the rescinded increase at the meeting, and the board said it will continue to monitor budget effects as the five-year forecast is finalized.