StrongsvilleSchoolBoard.jpg

Strongsville school board president Carl Naso, left, and vice president Richard Micko aren't thrilled about proposed funding cuts by Gov. John Kasich (Bob Sandrick/Northeast Ohio Media Group).

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- A stern letter from the Strongsville school board to Gov. John Kasich; a high number of snow days in North Royalton; a Common Core exam kickoff in Brecksville-Broadview Heights; and a raise for police officers in Broadview Heights were all in the news this week. Here's what happened:

The letter from the Strongsville board to Kasich urged the governor to cancel proposed funding cuts to the school district. The board asked Kasich to freeze funding levels to districts, including Strongsville, that have already made their own significant cuts.

Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols didn't seem too receptive to the district's concerns. He said he doubts that any funding formula could provide additional money for a district that has lost more than 1,600 students since 2009. District officials said they would lobby the Ohio General Assembly, which will have the final say on school funding.

Meanwhile, the North Royalton schools are hoping for sunny and warm weather. The district has reached its limit -- six -- on the number of calamity days it can use this school year. Superintendent Greg Gurka said if the district must cancel school again due to weather, it will break out the "blizzard bags," lessons that students can study at home. Let's hope they're well-stocked on the bags -- a snowstorm is forecast for Sunday and early Monday.

The Brecksville-Broadview Heights schools are preparing to administer the new statewide Common Core exams starting Tuesday. Testing will continue through March 20. Students in third through ninth grades are taking a series of tests in English, math, science, social studies, American history and American government. The exams will last a total of 10 hours spread over eight or nine days. The Strongsville and North Royalton schools have already begun testing.

Last but not least, Broadview Heights City Council has approved 2-percent raises, in both 2015 and 2016, for the police department's patrol officers, sergeants and lieutenants. Salaries for six classes of patrol officers will range from $52,200-$71,900 this year, retroactive to Jan. 1. The range will climb to $53,300-$73,300 next year.

Pay for Broadview Heights police sergeants will increase to $81,900 in 2015 and $83,600 in 2016. As before, they must earn 14 percent more than first-class officers under the contract. Lieutenants will earn $93,400 this year and $95,300 next year, or 14 percent more than sergeants.

That's it for now, but stop by throughout next week for more news from Ohio 82.