Teachers OK successor agreement

YOUNGSTOWN -- City school teachers overwhelmingly approved a one-year successor agreement that will freeze their salary schedule at the current levels.
The agreement is basically an extension of the current Youngstown Education Association contract, which was to expire June 30. The successor agreement will run to June 30, 2007.
William Bagnola, president of the 800-member union, said teachers overwhelmingly ratified the successor agreement this week. The school board approved it last week.
Still getting raises
About half the district's teachers will still be getting pay increases under the agreement. Those who are still at various steps in the district's 16-step salary schedule are entitled to automatic pay increases as they move up those steps.
The successor agreement is expected to cost the district about $231,000 more next year, bringing the total teacher salary cost to nearly $46.5 million. That number could change as the district is contemplating cutbacks to reduce spending in fiscal 2006-07.
Bagnola said the union membership is cognizant of the district's financial situation.
The school board has learned that it is facing a $4 million deficit at the end of this fiscal year June 30.
Because of that deficit, the board can't certify that it will have funds to pay for any raises in a new agreement and, therefore, can't negotiate a new contract.
The teachers are doing what they can to help the district get back on its feet, both financially and academically, Bagnola added.
In addition to its financial woes, Youngstown is currently rated in "academic emergency" by the state.