Category Archives: Elyria Board of Education

EEA Board of Education Meeting Update – May 20, 2026

EEA News, Elyria Board of Education, Levy, RIF 2026

The Elyria Board of Education met on May 20, 2026. President Elaine Seguin was not in attendance. Below are several items of importance for EEA members. Information was taken from the Board agenda and Treasurer’s report.

Treasurer’s Financial Update & Levy Discussion

Treasurer Colleen Aholt presented a brief May Forecast Update and levy discussion during the meeting.

According to the Treasurer, the district has made approximately $9.4 million in reductions overall, including:

  • $8.3 million in personnel reductions
  • $562,000 in transportation cuts
  • $100,000 in crossing guard reductions
  • $150,000 in district software reductions

The Treasurer also recommended that the Board place an 8.9 mill levy on the November 2026 ballot.

Proposed Levy Timeline

To place the levy on the November ballot:

  • The Board would need to approve an initial resolution at the June 10, 2026 Board meeting
  • A second resolution would need to be approved in July
  • Final certification would occur in August

Estimated Cost to Residents

The proposed levy would cost approximately:

  • $311 annually for a home valued at $100,000

EEA will continue monitoring discussions surrounding district finances, staffing impacts, and levy planning.

RIF’d Members Recalled

The Board approved the recall of 5 previously RIF’d members due to staff resignations. 

The following staff members were listed in the agenda materials:

  • Angela Caprara – Grade 5/6 Science Teacher, Northwood Middle
  • Lisa Pack – Intervention Specialist M/I, Westwood Elementary
  • Maclain Martin – Intervention Specialist M/M, Northwood Elementary
  • Meryl Smith (Kannenberg) – Intervention Specialist M/I, Eastern Heights Elementary
  • Cody Rodgers – Grade 7/8 STEAM/PLTW, Eastern Heights Middle

Continuing Contracts Approved for Certified Staff

The Board approved continuing contracts for certified staff effective August 19, 2026.

The following staff members were listed in the agenda materials:

  • Mary Bailey
  • Chloe Harigan
  • April Serfozo
  • Daniel Blatt
  • Lauren Broschk
  • Courtney Jones
  • Julie Mallcott
  • Sarah Shell
  • Carissa Silva
  • Leah Buzzelli
  • Ariana Miller
  • Courtney Stoll
  • Sarah Crosby
  • Natalie Perfette
  • Amanda Turza
  • Sophia Del Valle
  • Sarah Robinson
  • Lindsey Voros
  • Rachael Dorsey (Jandziszak)
  • Alexandra Rutherford
  • James “Matt” Wilson
  • Kasie Geschke
  • Lisa Schen

Congratulations to these educators on earning continuing contract status!

Additional Personnel & Board Items

Additional agenda items included:

  • Certified and classified staffing recommendations
  • Summer and ESY staffing approvals
  • Supplemental contracts and stipends
  • Transportation and student services contracts
  • Policy updates related to absenteeism, workplace policy, and overdose reversal procurement

EEA will continue to keep members informed as additional information becomes available regarding district finances, staffing, and levy discussions.

Elyria Board of Education Takes Stand for Fair School Funding

EEA News, Elyria Board of Education, Fair School Funding

Elyria Board of Education Takes Stand for Fair School Funding

At the February 4, 2026 Elyria City Schools Board of Education meeting, EEA President Linda Aguiñaga stood before the Board and made a clear, urgent ask: stand with educators, students, and the community by advocating for fair and fully funded public schools.

On May 6, 2026, the Board answered that call.

The Elyria City Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted a Resolution in Support of the Fair School Funding Plan, formally affirming what educators and our community have been saying all along—Elyria’s financial challenges are not the result of local decisions, but of a state funding system that has failed to keep pace with the real cost of educating students. Continue reading Elyria Board of Education Takes Stand for Fair School Funding →

Elyria Board of Education Meeting Update – April 1, 2026

EEA News, Elyria Board of Education

The Elyria City Schools Board of Education met on April 1, 2026. Below is a summary of key updates and highlights, with a focus on items most relevant to EEA members.

🎉 Recognitions & Celebrations

The Board recognized several outstanding student achievements, including:

  • Elyria High School students placing in the Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Competition
  • The Elyria High School Chamber Orchestra for earning a Superior Rating at state adjudication
  • Middle school athletic achievements, including basketball and wrestling teams

💰 Treasurer’s Report & Financial Update

  • Treasurer Colleen Aholt reported that the district received a “clean financial audit report,” indicating strong financial oversight and compliance.
  • An “unofficial” updated 5-year forecast will be presented at the May Board of Education meeting.
    • This forecast may guide discussions about placing a levy on the November ballot.

🎭 Donation to Performing Arts Center

  • The Board accepted a donation of $12,568.20 from the William A. Ely Trust to the Elyria High School Performing Arts Center.
  • This donation will be used to purchase a new sound board for the PAC.

🧑‍🏫 Personnel Updates (Member-Focused Highlights)

The Board approved several personnel items, including:

  • Resignations
    • Multiple classified staff resignations
    • One certified resignation (EHS Orchestra Director effective May 29, 2026)
  • New Appointments
    • Daily substitute teacher approved at $150/day
  • RIF Recall
    • One classified staff member recalled from the RIF list, consistent with contract and policy guidelines
  • Leaves & Retirement
    • Approved unpaid leaves of absence for classified staff
    • One classified retirement effective July 1, 2026
  • Compensation
    • Approval of classified substitute pay rates (Utility and Head Custodian levels)

📌 Other Notable Actions

  • Approval of an overnight field trip for a middle school student group
  • Scheduling of an expulsion appeal hearing for April 15, 2026
  • Standard approval of prior meeting minutes and board items

📣 What This Means for Members

  • The clean audit report and upcoming 5-year forecast will be important in shaping future financial discussions, including potential levy considerations.
  • Continued staffing changes (resignations, recalls, substitutes) highlight ongoing workforce shifts across the district.
  • Investment in the Performing Arts Center reflects continued support for student programs.

📅 Next Board Meeting

The next Elyria Board of Education meeting is scheduled for:
April 22, 2026

If you have questions about any Board actions or how they may impact members, please reach out to EEA leadership.

Stay informed and engaged!

Key Takeaways from the March 25 Board of Education Meeting

Bargaining, Elyria Board of Education, RIF 2026

The Elyria Board of Education met on March 25, 2026, and several important items were discussed and approved that directly impact our members. Below is a summary of key updates, with particular attention to budget-related decisions and their effect on staff.

Budget-Driven Decisions & Staffing Impacts

One of the most significant actions taken at this meeting was the Board’s approval of a Reduction in Force (RIF) for non-teaching employees due to financial reasons.

While this specific action applies to non-teaching staff, it reflects the broader financial challenges facing the district. Decisions like these are never isolated, and they underscore the seriousness of the district’s current budget situation. Continue reading Key Takeaways from the March 25 Board of Education Meeting →

February 4, 2026 Board Meeting & RIF Plan

EEA News, Elyria Board of Education, RIF 2026

Thank you to all members who attended tonight’s Elyria City Schools Board of Education meeting. Your solidarity and advocacy for students and colleagues mattered.

At the meeting, the Board adopted a district Reduction-in-Force (RIF) Plan by a vote of 3–1. Board member Brent Parker cast the only “no” vote.

📺 Watch the meeting here: https://youtu.be/MVPP3B_3Ngo

Budget Reduction Summary (Total: $9,025,274)

Category Amount % of Total
Certified $5,552,459 61.5%
Classified $1,184,188 13.1%
Administrative $666,395 7.4%
Non-Personnel $623,800 6.9%
Transportation $672,807 7.5%
Supplemental $125,625 1.4%
Dept/Building $200,000 2.2%
Total $9,025,274 100%

Superintendent Ann Schloss shared that members should expect to find out whether they are being RIF’d before spring break. The EEA will do our utmost to ensure fairness, transparency, and respect for members throughout the process.

📘 EEA Resource: “Understanding the RIF Process” was shared to your personal email this evening.

Please Check Your Personal Email

A more detailed breakdown of the district’s plan has been sent to members via personal email. Please review that message for additional information.

Elyria City Schools Board of Education — First Organizational & Regular Meeting of 2026

Elyria Board of Education

The Organizational/Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, was critical as it established the framework and adopted key policies for the upcoming calendar year.

Key Agenda Items and Decisions for 2026:

  • Election of Officers: The agenda included the procedural items and motions for the appointment of the Board President (Mrs. Elaine Seguin) and Vice-President (Mr. Mike Gebhardt) for the calendar year 2026.
  • Oath of Office: Re-elected Board Members Ms. Annie Carstarphen and Mr. Len Howser were administered the Oath of Office by Mayor Brubaker.
  • Governance and Procedure: The Board  adopted the Robert Rules of Order as the official guidelines for all its meetings. Additionally, it was proposed to establish regular board meeting dates on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, with exceptions.
  • Financial Approvals:
    • The Board Service Fund was to be established in the general fund in the amount of $20,000 for paying expenses of the Board of Education during 2026.
    • Motions were on the agenda to approve the 2025-2026 tax budget and forward it to the Lorain County Budget Commission.
    • The Treasurer’s Report summarized the Property Tax Reform – Key Provisions Impacting School Districts, noting that limits on property tax growth are expected to reduce or slow the growth of school district revenues. As a result of the newly enacted property tax reforms, the district’s annual budget is projected to decrease by an additional $750,000 annually.
    • The district was recently notified that reimbursements for Science of Reading training paid to educators would be reduced by $20,000. As a result, the district is required to repay this amount to the state.
  • Legal Appointments: The agenda listed the appointment of multiple law firms to represent the Board of Education and its administration throughout 2026.
  • Personnel Actions: The Board had on its agenda for approval several personnel items, including resignations, appointments of classified and certified staff, a retirement, and an athletic supplemental contract.
  • Regular February 4 Board of Education Meeting – Location Change: The Board of Education has approved a change in location for its regular meeting on February 4. The meeting will be held at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Elyria High School to accommodate an anticipated increase in public attendance. This meeting will address decisions regarding proposed budget reduction initiatives.

Elyria’s Cycle of Crisis: Why Members Must Stay Engaged as $9 Million in Cuts Loom

EEA News, Elyria Board of Education

At the November 19 Elyria Board of Education meeting, the room was filled wall-to-wall with educators, administrators, and community members trying to make sense of what two levy failures in one year now mean for the future of Elyria City Schools. The answer, delivered plainly by district officials and underscored by union leadership, was sobering: the district must cut $9 million from next year’s budget simply to remain solvent.

What unfolded during the board meeting and in the Chronicle-Telegram’s reporting of it revealed not only the magnitude of the challenge ahead but also why active engagement from educators and community members is more critical now than ever. Continue reading Elyria’s Cycle of Crisis: Why Members Must Stay Engaged as $9 Million in Cuts Loom →

October 1st – Elyria Board of Education Meeting

Elyria Board of Education

The Elyria Board of Education meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted on the district calendar). Meetings are held at the Elyria Schools Administration Center, located at 42101 Griswold Road.

We encourage all EEA members to attend whenever possible. It’s a great way to stay informed about the discussions and decisions that shape our classrooms, our contracts, and the future of Elyria City Schools. Your presence helps ensure that educators’ voices remain part of the conversation. See highlights from the latest meeting below. Continue reading October 1st – Elyria Board of Education Meeting →