Nordonia Hills board approves broad spending reductions, starts layoff process; tables transportation cuts and rejects clinical counselor cut

The Nordonia Hills City School Board on Feb. 18 approved a districtwide spending-reduction plan and authorized the start of a reduction-in-force (RIF) process as the district works to close an operating shortfall. The board also approved a 10% increase to selected student fees, tabled proposed transportation cuts indefinitely and voted down a proposal to reduce clinical counseling contracts this school year.

Board members said the proposals respond to a continuing budget gap after multiple failed levy attempts. The spending-reduction plan includes staffing and program cuts across levels and functions to reduce operating costs if additional revenue does not arrive.

Under the approved spending-reduction plan the district will reduce four middle school teacher positions (one each in math, science, English and social studies), increase middle-school class sizes (from roughly 21–22 up to about 25–26 depending on course), reduce 5.5 full-time-equivalent positions at the high school phased over two years (including reductions in art, math, Spanish, social studies and fractional English/German slots), eliminate one less-popular world language over time (German), eliminate three part-time custodial positions, eliminate…