Parents and school staff urge board to reconsider cuts as members approve reduction in force

Public commenters and school employees told the Martins Ferry City School Board on May 13 that proposed staffing cuts would threaten student safety and daily operations, but the board voted to adopt a reduction-in-force resolution.

At the start of the meeting a longtime elementary worker (public commenter) said the district's plan would eliminate "three kindergarten aides" and reduce other support staff, and warned students would "fall through the cracks" without those aides. She also listed cuts she said were proposed: two cooks, a bus attendant, a maintenance position, one elementary library position and one secretary position, and told the board to "think those points through before making your final decision." (Public commenter)

A registered nurse who identified herself during public comment detailed clinic responsibilities, saying the district manages more than 100 clinic visits a year and handles medications and emergency care; she urged that clinic-aide duties be classified and reviewed to ensure medical skills and student health needs are preserved. She referenced state rules when arguing clinic duties should not be treated as purely educational tasks. (Registered nurse)

An elementary school secretary described the office's minute-to-minute responsibilities for 490 students and argued that a single 6.75-hour secretary position cannot maintain safety, records and parent communications. "One person cannot provide all the time needed to ensure the safety and security of our students," she said, and asked the board to reconsider eliminating the position. (Elementary school secretary)

Board members acknowledged the concerns but said the district had limited options because of fiscal constraints. One member said negotiations with the union and insurance changes might restore positions if additional funds are found. The board later introduced and, by roll call, approved a resolution implementing reductions in force for teaching staff (the reduction-in-force item was presented as agenda item 5). The vote passed with the ayes recorded in the transcript.

Why it matters: The cuts discussed affect classroom supports, health and safety coverage and day-to-day school operations, raising questions about how the district will meet student health and supervision needs amid staffing reductions.

What happens next: Board members and staff said they would continue to explore insurance alternatives and union negotiations to mitigate layoffs; the approved reduction-in-force resolution is the board's current formal action.

Attributions: Quotes and attributions are to participants who spoke during the public-comment period and to board speakers during the May 13 meeting. The transcript records the specific concerns and the board's vote to approve the reduction-in-force resolution.