HOWLAND Teachers agree to suspend raises in support of pending school levy

This would be the first additional Howland levy since 1992.
HOWLAND -- Teachers have agreed to postpone pay raises for six months to show their support for a school levy that will be on the ballot next week.
The 216-member Howland Classroom Teachers Association is in the midst of negotiating a new three-year contract with the district. The current contract expires June 30.
"I'm proud of the leadership we are showing on this matter," said Jim Timlin, union spokesman. "The board and community understand the sacrifice we are making."
Union support for the levy could help preserve jobs in the school district. Nine teachers and 30 other district employees have been notified that they may not have jobs after summer vacation if the 5-mill, five-year additional levy does not pass, said Superintendent John Rubesich.
If it doesn't pass
The levy, which would raise $3.05 million a year, is needed to offset state funding cuts, he said. If it doesn't pass, remedial programs and others will be slashed, he said.
"These are the programs that make Howland schools," he said.
School officials say that Howland spends about $750 less per pupil, per year, than the state average for districts that size, and that Howland has the lowest tax rate of any local school district in Trumbull County.
The last time the district asked for an additional levy was in 1992.
The agreement between the teachers union and management would still allow teachers to get regular step raises tied to experience and education. The freeze until Jan. 1, 2004, applies to the additional percentage increase that is a part of most contracts.
A Howland teacher with a bachelor's degree starts at $28,916 per year. With a master's degree and 27 years experience, that salary goes up to $57,832.