Schools

13 Teaching Positions to Be Eliminated in Strongsville Schools

Declining enrollment means district doesn't need as much staff

Strongsville school officials, citing declining enrollment in the district, said it will be necessary to eliminate 13 teaching positions next school year.

Assistant Superintendent Cameron Ryba said it appears 10 teachers at the elementary school level and three at the secondary level won't be needed.

"We are drastically reduced (in enrollment) at the first-grade level," Ryba said.

Ryba warned the School Board in May that fewer students in the schools would translate to teacher layoffs, especially at the elementary school level.

While more than 500 seniors graduated from Strongsville High School last weekend, kindergarten registration hovers at about 250.

He is estimating that next school year, the high school's enrollment will drop by 41 students and the middle schools will lose 63. The elementary schools, meanwhile, will lose 300.
And the effects of the teachers strike could take another bite out of enrollment. As of late April, 62 students had left the school system because of the eight-week strike.

Overall, Ryba has projected that the 6,200-member student body will drop to 5,800 for the 2013-14 school year.

Ryba told school board members Thursday night that even with fewer teachers, class size standards would be maintained.

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In the fall, the average kindergarten class will have 18 pupils, and the average first-grade class will have 20. For grades 2-6, average will be 25.

"That is a very acceptable level," he said.

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Also, he said the reduction in the teaching force will not mean programs and opportunities for students will be eliminated.


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