Board OKs 1-year pact with its teachers

SEA agreed to reductions in supplemental contracts and tuition reimbursement.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The board of education has approved a one-year contract with the Struthers Education Association that freezes the teachers' salary schedule at current levels beginning July 1.
The new pact, which the SEA said it proposed to the board because of the financial problems of the district, includes $105,000 in reductions in supplemental contracts and tuition reimbursement for the 2006-2007 school year. That concession was also offered in the 2005-2006 school year, said Terri Rogan, union president.
Even though the salary schedule is frozen for a year, teachers who haven't topped out of the district's 19-step salary schedule will get automatic increases that will cost the district an additional $145,000 in the 2006-2007 school year, schools Superintendent Sandra DiBacco said.
DiBacco praised the SEA for its cooperation and for proposing an acceptable contract. The current SEA contract expires June 30.
Administrative salaries
In other action at its meeting Tuesday, the board approved for the next school year administrative salaries that are the same as this school year. Based on longevity, experience and education, building principals will be paid from $59,000 to $72,500; assistant principals, $57,500 to $71,000; and special services employees, $50,000 to $63,000. The superintendent is paid $81,735, and the treasurer, $65,000. All administrators receive the same benefits as contained in the SEA contract, officials said.
The total annual cost for certificated staff, which includes teachers and administrators, is $7.1 million, schools Treasurer Michael Evanson said.
The board approved supplemental contracts for the 2006-2007 school year. Head coaches include: baseball, Mike Donatelli; boys basketball, John Corey; girls basketball, John Grandy; cross country, Geoff Malcomson; football, Peter J. Pirone Jr.; girls golf, Dominic Colaprete; softball, Tom Krestel; boys and girls tennis, Floyd Cracraft; boys track, Mark Carden; girls track, Malcomson; middle school volleyball, Ron Voitus.
Other supplemental contracts include: band director, Edward L. Stiles; cheerleading, Tracy Gue; fitness training, Donatelli; Hopewell, Roslyn M. Terek; junior class, Mary Bundy; senior class, Nancy Gough; Art Club, William P. Griffin; audio-visual, Karen Scenna; Drama Club, Richard Gage; French Club, Terek; Future Teachers, Martha Lopez; medical careers, Jean Dundee; National Honor Society, Nancy Solomon; Spanish Club, Nancy Matheney; student council, Carol O'Leary; middle school year book, Janet George.