Youngstown teachers take 3-year wage freeze

Youngstown teachers take 3-year wage freeze

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown city school teachers will take a three-year wage freeze in a new contract approved today by a state oversight commission.

It doesn’t mean that no one will get any additional salary, however. About one-third of the 650 teachers have not yet reached their pay-scale maximum and will continue to move up through the salary-step process.

The teachers also will begin contributing an average of five percent of their health-care insurance costs for the first time. District officials estimate that contributions will total $700,000.

Youngstown has been in fiscal emergency since November 2006 and its finances are now being controlled by State Fiscal Oversight Commission.

Commission members praised the new teacher contract, calling it a significant step in helping in the district’s financial recovery.

Both the teachers and school board approved the contract terms in August.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.