Plymouth-Canton board approves layoffs for two nursing positions, adopts final budget amendment amid public outcry

The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved a resolution to post layoffs for two nursing positions and adopted the district's final 2025—26 budget amendment after an extended public budget hearing.

Administrators presented a proposed 2026—27 budget that assumes a foundation allowance of $10,300 per pupil, an enrollment decline of about 75 students and an estimated $3.22 million increase in state aid. Chief finance and operations officer Jill Minnick said the district is projecting a $5.6 million reduction in operating expenditures for next year as part of a multi-year plan to preserve a 15% fund balance. Minnick and Superintendent Monica Merritt said the proposal includes 65.5 position reductions districtwide, most handled via attrition; two positions were posted as layoffs because of contractual notice requirements.

"We are definitely right-sizing our staff that accounts for 83% of our budget," Superintendent Monica Merritt said, while pledging that "we will remain in compliance legally and with our IEPs and 504s" for medically fragile students.

Board members questioned administration at length about the nurse staffing model proposed for next year. Administration explained the plan shifts back toward a pre-pandemic shared model in which a smaller number of nurses provide leadership and clinical oversight districtwide while health-care teams at each building cover day-to-day clinic duties. Administration said nurses dedicated to medically fragile students funded by Act 18 or assigned in IEPs will not be cut.

Parents, teachers and other community members staged an extended public comment period focused heavily on nursing cuts. Speakers offered personal accounts of nurses intervening during seizures, anaphylaxis and diabetic emergencies and urged the board to delay layoffs or conduct formal impact assessments for students with IEPs and 504 plans. "These school nurses are an essential part of keeping our school safe and students healthy," said Alexandria Webber, a former district student who addressed the board during the public hearing. Several parents described incidents in which nurses administered life-saving care.

The board voted on action item 26-06-74 to approve posting layoffs for two nursing positions; the motion passed (audio indicates a 5—1 vote). The board then approved the final 2025—26 budget amendment (action item 26-06-70) that administration presented to reflect year-end revenue and expenditure changes; that motion carried 6—0.

Votes at a glance

- Action 26-06-69 — Adopt agenda and approve consent agenda — Approved, 6—0. - Action 26-06-74 — Resolution to post layoffs for up to two nursing positions — Approved, 5—1. - Action 26-06-70 — Adopt final FY2025—26 budget amendment — Approved, 6—0.

The superintendent and finance staff said names and specific recall options can change as retirements and recalls are processed, and that posted layoffs do not preclude recalls if budget or staffing changes occur. Administration also committed to providing the board additional data on nurse caseloads and the share of nursing time devoted to IEP/504 work.

Next steps include follow-up information for trustees on nurse caseloads, comparative data from peer districts, and ongoing monitoring of state aid legislation. Administration said it will continue to evaluate revenue and staffing options over the summer and could adjust recalls or rehires depending on retirements and state-aid outcomes.