Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools Announce Layoffs

UPDATE 2:30 p.m. — The district spokesperson sent this additional comment to Patch:

Superintendent Douglas Heuer said priority will be given to retain the support and management positions that directly impact teaching and learning.

“Reductions in teaching staff numbers will be based upon student enrollment numbers by building and grade level. We will retain the teaching positions necessary to maintain the quality of educational programs. This is a process the district engages in annually," said Heuer.

"Once those numbers have been established, and they will be by April 23, we can move forward to determine the number of support staff and administration necessary for support and management,” Heuer added. “We will also be looking to reduce spending in other areas of operation.”

Original article follows.

Cleveland Heights-University Heights Schools will lay off staff members for the 2013-2014 school year, the district announced.

The school board asked staff at Tuesday's meeting to draft a plan for budget cuts, including staff reductions, and present it at the Board's next work session April 23.

The board must notify its staff by April 30 of any teacher layoffs.

The board cited the state budget plan — and the uncertainty of school funding — for the cuts.

“With the Ohio General Assembly’s apparent unhappiness with the Governor’s budget and education plan, we have no idea what our funding will be over the next 18 months,” stated Scott Gainer, CH-UH chief financial officer. 

“It’s necessary for us to reduce our operating costs as much as possible without significantly impacting the quality of our academic programs,” said CH-UH School Board President Ron Register. “We cannot plan on any additional financial assistance from the State. We are essentially funded by our local tax dollars, and that situation demands that we continue to find areas to reduce costs.”

The district expects to ask for 8.6 mills on the next operating levy in 2014. The current levy, passed in 2011, is for 6.9 mills.

The district also plans to ask for a bond issue to fund the district building restructuring — the Lay Facilities Master Plan — this November.