Youngstown teachers OK concessionary contract

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Education Association’s acceptance of a three-year concessionary contract is being viewed as a sign of support for a 9.5-mill tax levy on the November election ballot.

This is the first step toward getting the levy passed, said Christine Domhoff, a member of the state fiscal oversight commission monitoring school district finances.

Youngstown was placed under fiscal emergency by the state in November 2006, resulting in the appointment of a five-member Financial Planning and Supervision Commission to monitor and control district finances.

The commission gave its approval to the new teacher contract Thursday. Both the YEA and the school board approved it last month, but details were withheld pending commission approval.

Will Bagnola, YEA president, said the 650-member union was willing to accept a concession package “because we’re trying to move the district forward. We’re trying to help kids.”

For more, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com