Teachers contract includes 3% raises

The superintendent called the union’s agreement to the new health-care plan ‘a big move.’

BY ANGIE SCHMITT

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

STRUTHERS — The school board has given its approval to a tentative two-year contract with the teachers union that includes 3 percent raises in each year.

In exchange, teachers have agreed to begin paying a portion of their hospitalization costs.

The deal is still subject to approval from the state’s Financial Planning and Supervision Commission, which has overseen the district’s finances since it was declared to be in a state of fiscal emergency in 2005. Representatives from the school board will meet with the commission at 1 p.m. Monday.

“We’re very pleased that we got a fair settlement for the teachers,” said Terri Rogan, Struthers Education Association president. “And it’s fair to the district; there’s some cost savings in health care.”

Superintendent Sandi DiBacco called the union’s agreement to the new health-care plan a “big move.”

The plan has been presented on a sliding scale. Teachers who opt for a high-deductible plan will not be required to contribute to their health-care premium. Teachers who choose a low-deductible plan will be responsible for paying 4 percent of the premium, said board member Dennis Spisak.

Recovery plan

All board members voted to approve the contract except for David Barone, who abstained. But some board members voiced doubts that the state’s fiscal oversight commission would approve the deal.

If the contract is not approved by the commission, the old contract will automatically be reinstated, DiBacco said.

The district has been operating under a commission-approved recovery plan since 2005. District officials cited the plan as a reason for their difficulty in negotiating with teachers.

Struthers teachers had been operating without a contract since late June, when they turned down an offer from the district. They announced a 10-day notice of their intent to strike Aug. 7.

Teachers last received a raise during the 2005-06 school year, when their salaries were increased 2 percent.

Under the new agreement, a new hire with a bachelor’s degree would earn $29,037 annually in 2007-08 and $29,908 in 2008-09. First-year teachers were paid $28,192 under the old contract.

If the tentative contract is approved, top-ranking teachers with a master’s degree with 26 or more years experience and the maximum certification would earn $66,206 in 2007-08 and $68,192 in 2008-09. The district’s most-experienced and qualified teachers earned $64,278 last year.

Other business

Also at the Struthers School Board meeting:

UBrian Spielvogel of the Eckles architecture and engineering firm announced that the east grandstand at the high school stadium is expected to be completed in time for the opening football game Friday. Construction crews have been working into the night to complete the project, Phase I of the restoration of the stadium. The project is $10,000 under budget, DiBacco said.

UConstruction crews made a special effort to preserve the front wall of the historic stadium, said Spielvogel. A date has not been set for a dedication ceremony on the project. Local philanthropist and Struthers alumnus Tony Lariccia donated $100,000 to the district’s stadium refurbishment campaign on the condition that it be named for former Superintendent Laddie J. Fedor. Board members suggested a dedication date for the homecoming game or the next home game.

UThe school board voted to approve raises matching the contract given to its teachers for its three Ohio Association of Public School Employees who work in the administration offices.