Category Archives: Levy

EEA Board of Education Meeting Update – May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026EEA News, Elyria Board of Education, Levy, RIF 2026elyriaea

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.

Issue 17: A Setback, But Not the End of Our Work

November 6, 2025EEA News, Kudos, Levy, NEOEA Newselyriaea

Northwood Elementary

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The Elyria Education Association (EEA) extends our heartfelt thanks to every EEA member, community member, student, and district administrator who volunteered their time and energy to support Issue 17 — whether you canvassed neighborhoods, made phone calls, spoke to family and friends, or shared information online. Your hard work did not go unnoticed, and your commitment to Elyria’s students and schools reflects the very best of who we are as educators and community advocates.

While we are deeply disappointed that Issue 17 did not pass, this outcome does not mark the end of our efforts. It reinforces the importance of continuing to advocate for sustainable, equitable funding for our schools — funding that should not depend solely on local levies.

Our next steps are already underway:

️ This Saturday, EEA Delegates will attend the NEOEA Representative Assembly, where we will share our concerns and experiences with colleagues and state leaders from across Northeast Ohio.
Next Thursday, we will bring those same concerns to the KUDOS Leadership Council, meeting with regional OEA affiliates to strengthen collaboration and seek broader support.
✉️ We have also drafted a letter to our state legislators, Senator Gayle Manning and Representative Nathan Manning, urging them to support full implementation of the Fair School Funding Plan (Cupp-Patterson formula).

Members who wish to review or offer input on the draft letter are invited to do so at our next EEA Advisory Committee meeting, which will be held Monday at Westwood Elementary. Your voice matters in shaping how we move forward.

We may not have achieved the result we hoped for this week, but we remain steadfast in our mission: to advocate for the resources our students deserve and the support our educators need. Thank you again for your dedication, your solidarity, and your continued belief in the power of public education.

️ EEA Endorses Issue 17 — Help Support Elyria City Schools!

October 14, 2025EEA News, Levyelyriaea

The Elyria Education Association (EEA) is proud to officially endorse Issue 17, the levy appearing on the November 4th general election ballot. This important initiative directly supports our schools, our students, and our community’s future.

With our collective voice behind this levy, we’re asking all members to help spread the word and encourage voter support. There are several ways to get involved — from canvassing routes and phone banking, to adopting voters you know or volunteering as a poll greeter on Election Day.

Even a small amount of time makes a big difference — just 10 minutes after school to make two phone calls helps move our effort forward!

Please check your personal email for more detailed information, including volunteer directions, sign-up links, and instructions for using the MiniVAN app.

All volunteer activities should take place outside of contract time. Members may coordinate with building administrators (outside of contract hours) to organize canvassing and other volunteer opportunities.

Together, we can make sure Elyria’s students continue to have the resources and opportunities they deserve. Thank you for your continued support and advocacy!

EEA Executive Committee Discusses Support for the November Levy – UPDATE

September 4, 2025EEA News, Levy, OEA Newselyriaea

Today, the EEA Executive Committee held a productive meeting with the OEA Political Advocacy Consultant and members of the November Levy Committee to discuss EEA’s potential endorsement of the upcoming levy. The committee also explored various volunteer opportunities for EEA members to get involved in supporting this important initiative.

The information shared during today’s meeting will be presented and further discussed at our Advisory Meeting, which is scheduled for Monday, September 8th at 4:00 PM at EECV. We encourage all members to attend and stay informed about the levy and how they can contribute.

Stay tuned for further updates and details on how you can get involved!

EEA Executive Committee Discusses Support for the Fall 2025 Levy Campaign

August 12, 2025EEA News, Levyelyriaea

On August 12, 2025, the EEA Executive Committee—along with our OEA Political Advocacy Consultant—met with a Levy Committee volunteer to discuss resources OEA can provide to help ensure a successful Fall 2025 Levy campaign.

During the meeting, we reviewed our organizational strength, communication network, and volunteer resources that could support this critical initiative. The levy is essential to maintaining the quality programs, staff, and services our students and community rely on every day. In the coming weeks, the Advisory Committee will discuss formally endorsing the levy and committing to volunteerism as the plan becomes clearer.

We Need You!
The success of a levy campaign depends on member participation. Our voices—as public education employees—are among the most trusted in the community. When we engage in grassroots outreach, share accurate information, and encourage our networks to vote, we make a direct impact on the outcome.

Many hands make light work. While the campaign plan is still being developed, successful campaigns often include actions such as making calls, walking neighborhoods, attending community events, or sharing positive messages.

Sign Up to Volunteer:
If you are interested and willing to help with the levy campaign, please complete this quick form, and we will follow up as the campaign plan is finalized:

Volunteer for the Levy Campaign

Why It Matters:
A successful levy will protect jobs, sustain programs, and keep our district moving forward. Failure to pass the levy could mean cuts that directly affect classrooms, student services, and extracurricular opportunities. We must be proactive and united in showing the community the value of their investment in Elyria’s schools.

Let’s stand together—just as we always do—to make sure our students, staff, and community have the strong, well-supported public schools they deserve.