CVCC board representative presents five-year forecast

by Laura Bednar

Dec. 19 board of education meeting

The Nordonia Hills Board of Education meeting began with a moment of silence for Nordonia High School science teacher John O’Brien, who died at the end of November. O’Brien worked at the high school for almost 25 years.

Jim Virost, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center board member representing the Nordonia district, gave an overview of the CVCC’s five-year forecast for 2023-27.

CVCC’s November forecast projects a cash balance of $21 million by June 2026, which is a reduction of $3.2 million from the May forecast. Virost said the reduction is due to increased transfers to the permanent improvement fund for additional roof, HVAC and glass block replacement projects, which are part of the center’s five-year facility improvement plan.

Revenue is expected to increase from $17.5 million in 2023 to $18.9 million in 2027. Virost said this is due to growth in property valuation, tax collections and increased interest earning resulting from rising investment rates. The career center’s total valuation increased to $7.3 billion from $6.9 billion in 2020.

“If the estimated increases in property valuations forecast in the update are realized, the district’s valuation will be nearly $8.1 billion for the 2024 tax year,” said Virost.

Personnel services accounts for 46% of district expenditures. Base and step increases of 2% for certified and classified staff are included in the forecast. Employee benefits account for 17% of district expenditures.

“Based on the November forecast, our outlook is very positive,” said Virost.

Superintendent Dr. Joe Clark clarified that CVCC is seeing an increase in revenue based on an increase in property valuations even though the center is operating on less millage than Nordonia. Due to the restrictions of House Bill 920, a levy cannot collect more money when property values increase, meaning Nordonia’s revenue is flat.

The Nordonia board appointed Virost as Nordonia’s CVCC board member for a three-year term from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2026. This is his third term.

In other news

The Nordonia Building Boosters, a nonprofit that provides assistance to the district through grants and community programs, donated $2,225 to replace automated external defibrillators in Nordonia schools.

In accordance with House Bill 436, which addresses dyslexia screening and intervention, Nordonia teachers will undergo up to 15 hours of dyslexia training, paid for with American Rescue Plan and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act funds.

The high school athletic department transferred $5,000 to the middle school athletic department. Treasurer Matt Brown said the middle school doesn’t charge for tickets to sporting events so the high school donates funds annually. ∞