Board refuses again to OK pact with teachers

A board member said the district can't afford teacher pay raises.
By ERIC GROSSO
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BROOKFIELD -- The Brookfield Board of Education failed for the second consecutive month to ratify a new contract with the Brookfield Federation of Teachers.
Board members Ronald Brennan and Rhonda Benokovic voted to approve the contract while Steve Varga and Board President Joseph Pasquerilla voted against the pact at Saturday's board meeting. The vote went the same way last month. Board member Dean Fisher was absent from both meetings.
The contract would have given teachers a 2.5-percent raise over three years.
Before the vote, a special portion of the meeting was set aside for Pasquerilla and other school officials to address the district's financial situation.
He said the district has about 1.2 million left for the rest of the school year, but will incur nearly 2 million in operating costs, retirement pay, legal fees and health insurance in April, May, and June, leaving the district in debt.
He said the numbers show the district does not have the funds available to cover the cost of a new contract.
Disputing numbers
Brennan, district Treasurer Rhonda Baldwin and Superintendent Michael Notar, however, all said Pasquerilla's numbers are incorrect. They argued that the district does have the funds available to support all three years of the contract, and the Ohio Department of Education has approved the district's budget, which shows a positive cash balance at the end of this school year, Baldwin said.
Pasquerilla also cited the district borrowing 200,000 to meet payroll last month, however, Baldwin said the loan is typical among school districts to make up for slow collection of tax revenues.
Baldwin later said Pasquerilla was taking "snapshots" from the five-year financial forecast that favor his vote, noting the forecast can change daily.
"I'm not in agreement with any of his numbers," Baldwin stated. "They do not represent an accurate picture of the finances."
Brennan added that Pasquerilla wasn't a financial expert and should leave the financial questions up the people who know, like the treasurer and state education department representatives.
When asked by Brennan, Varga admitted that he said last month that he would not approve the contract without a signed agreement from the state, stating the district has sufficient funds for the contract.
Brennan then noted the district has a signed and approved agreement, which was shown to the crowd. "Are you a man of your word, Steve?" Brennan asked.
Varga still voted against the contract Saturday.
Residents unhappy
Many community residents also weren't happy with Pasquerilla.
Earlier last week, a large inflatable cartoon rat appeared in different locations throughout the city with a custom name tag that reads "Joe P."
The Save Our Schools committee also picketed around the entrance to the middle school Saturday, giving literature to passing motorists.
Brookfield teachers and residents also picketed outside of Brookfield Elementary School last week to show their dissatisfaction with the entire school board.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 19.