March 18, 2016 -- As part of an ongoing effort to bring expenditures in line with educational needs, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District has informed staff of a planned reduction in force (RIF) expected to result in the elimination of 52 positions before the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year. Staff members were informed of the process yesterday, and official letters were delivered today by principals and departmental supervisors.
“This is a very difficult but necessary action,” said Dr. Talisa Dixon, CH-UH Superintendent. “This decision was not arrived at easily. However, the CH-UH School District has seen a significant reduction in enrollment in the last decade, and that is projected to continue for several more years. We simply must bring our staffing in line with our enrollment to continue operating effectively.”
Since 2007, the District has 900 fewer students enrolled in its schools, from 6,300 in 2007 to 5,400 in 2016. Independent enrollment projections suggest that District enrollment will decline by a further 800 students over the next 10 years.
The positions being eliminated include administrators and professional staff, teachers, certified staff and classified staff, or roughly 9% of District staff overall. While not the primary objective of this action, the District will see an annual savings of approximately $3.5 million.
“We’ve looked very carefully at the effect this action will have on education and we are confident that our academic programs will not be impacted,” added Dr. Dixon. “This action will allow us to use our District staff and resources effectively, including ensuring equitable and balanced class sizes. Across the District, the average class size will go from 14 to 22, which is in line with peer districts and state averages.”
Superintendent Dixon has asked the District’s Human Resources Department to ensure that every impacted employee is personally met with, has all their questions answered, and receives whatever assistance is available when seeking opportunities with other school districts.
In accordance with the requirements of the District’s collective bargaining agreements, the CH-UH Board of Education will hear and consider the proposed reductions in force for teachers and certified staff at its April 5 meeting and administrators, professional and classified staff at its May 3 meeting.
FutureThink Enrollment Projections Report (through 2026)