Treasurer gives 2023 financial recap

by Laura Bednar

Jan. 8 board of education meeting

Treasurer Kyle Kiffer gave an overview of the Nordonia Hills City School District’s finances in December and for the period of July 2023 through December 2023.

In December, the district had a $16.6 million cash balance with $5.2 million of that earmarked for specific purposes. Revenue was up 6.7% and expenditures for were up .4% compared to December 2022. Kiffer said spending was up because of increased costs for equipment, salaries and benefits and utilities.

From July through December 2023, general fund revenues were up $809,000 – 3.2% higher than the previous year – for a total of $26.5 million. Overall expenses for the period were 2.7% higher than last year. Kiffer noted a $788,000 increase for salaries and benefits and a $331,000 increase in purchased services. All other expenses were down $400,000.

Superintendent contract

The board unanimously approved Superintendent Casey Wright’s contract from Jan. 1, 2024, through July 31, 2027. From Jan. 1, 2024, through July 31, 2024, Wright will be paid $85,326. From Aug. 1, 2024, until July 31, 2025, his salary will be $145,000, and from Aug. 1, 2025, until July 31, 2026, his salary will increase to $147,900.

In other action

Chad Lahrmer and Liz McKinley were sworn in as board members. Lahrmer was named board president and McKinley vice president.

During open forum, Matt Ford, member of the Friends of Nordonia Schools PAC, verbalized the group’s support of the district’s 5-mill levy on the March ballot.

“This levy is not merely about securing funds, it’s about investing in the bedrock of our community,” he said. “By rallying behind this levy we can actively contribute to the success of the Nordonia Hills City School District.”

He added that his children were well prepared for college and the work world after attending Nordonia schools. “This is just one of the reasons I volunteer my time,” Ford said. ∞