STRONGSVILLE – Thirteen teaching positions will be eliminated in Strongsville schools, according to our news partners at Strongsville Patch.
They said declining enrollment means the district does not need as much staff.
A Strongsville Patch article said 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.
According to the report, he estimated that next school year, the high school’s enrollment will drop by 41 students and the middle schools will lose 63. The elementary school will lose 300.
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 projected in the article that the 6,200-member student body will drop to 5,800 for the 2013-14 school year.
Also, more than 500 seniors graduated from Strongsville High School last weekend and kindergarten registration hovers at about 250.
Ryba told school board members Thursday night that even with fewer teachers, class size standards would be maintained.
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 in the article.
Also, he said the reduction in the teaching force will not mean programs and opportunities for students will be eliminated.
For more information, visit Strongsville Patch: http://on.wews.com/18TAHTI
