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 two 2-hour student-supervisor positions (Rushwood and Leon) and eliminate 11 paraprofessionals initially hired this school year. The plan also calls for ending the district’s contracted in-school suspension program with the YMCA and replacing it with an internally run program, reducing the number of building substitute staff (13 positions), and stopping purchase of an outside social-emotional curriculum (the “7 Mindset” program) with schools expected to provide internally developed SEL supports. The transcript records board discussion that some paraprofessional positions are tied to individual education plans (IEPs) and may be recalled subject to those IEP determinations.

The board voted to begin the formal RIF process that authorizes notices and layoffs to be issued after staff who elect contract buyouts are processed. Administration told the board employees have until the end of the month to accept buyouts; the board then has 15 days to act on buyouts before layoffs proceed. Administrators said buyouts and natural attrition will reduce the number of layoffs needed but some layoffs remain likely.

Transportation reductions were discussed in detail but the board agreed to indefinitely table the proposed change to move the district to state-minimum busing. District staff outlined several scenarios: keeping current routes (33 daily routes across three tiers), cutting to 24 routes to meet state minimum and an estimated directional savings of roughly $700,000 (plus overage exposure), or eliminating high‑school routes for a smaller immediate saving (about $174,000 gross, offset by about $90,000 in state reimbursement). Administrators warned that reducing routes could permanently reduce available drivers and present risks to student attendance and extracurricular participation; board members asked for more ridership and impact data before deciding.

The board approved a 10% increase in a set of student fees, a measure the superintendent said could be revisited if district finances improve. The motion passed on recorded votes.

Separately, the board considered a motion to reduce this year’s clinical counseling contract (roughly $300,000 in contract value) that would have cut 1.5 clinical counselor positions and retained clinical counseling only at the district’s middle and high school. That motion failed on a recorded 3–1 count; the transcript records three “no” votes and one “yes,” and the motion did not carry.

Several consent and personnel items also passed, including a short-term contract with PSI affiliates to provide interim school psychology services while a district psychologist is on extended medical leave, college-credit memoranda of understanding and routine certified and classified personnel actions.

Why it matters: board members said the district faces multi‑million-dollar deficit spending and must identify savings ahead of a May ballot (board discussion referenced a multi‑year pattern of levy attempts and a gap between expenditure needs and voter support). The approved measures reduce near‑term operating costs but, per administration, will alter class sizes, eliminate some elective offerings over time and shift some services in‑house.

Board members and several public commenters urged continued outreach to the community before additional actions are taken; residents at the meeting urged passage of a levy to avoid cuts.

What’s next: staff will process buyout acceptances, return to the board on impacts and recall obligations tied to IEPs, and provide further analysis requested on transportation ridership and the fiscal impact of route changes. The board named March 18, 2025 as its next regular meeting at Northfield Elementary School.