Treasurer’s contract extended

MINERAL RIDGE — Weathersfield Board of Education extended the term of a new contract to five years, from a one-year contract for Treasurer Laurena Rouan.

The board acted at its reorganization meeting this week; the contract goes into effect next summer.

The action was taken in compliance with a recent change in state law. The current contract starting Jan. 1 will expire July 31.

The board will then issue a five-year contract beginning Aug. 1, 2008, and ending July 31, 2013.

Rouan was given a raise from $53,000 to $55,000 beginning Jan. 1, which will be pro-rated over the 153 days worked from Jan. 1 to July 31, 2008.

Rouan was hired in June 2006 and served a two-year probation period, and the terms of her contract allowed for a salary of $52,000 in the first year, $53,000 in the second year and $55,000 in the third year. Rouan’s life insurance will be increased from $35,000 to $50,000.

House Bill 671, according to the treasurer, changed details of Ohio school treasurer’s contracts to eliminate the two-year probationary period, stating that the contracts shall be for no longer than five years; and changed the dates of when contracts will start and end, from January to December to Aug. 1 to July 31.

House Bill 671 went into effect in March 2007 but did not affect treasurers until most of their contracts expired Dec. 31 and were due for renewal Jan. 1, Rouan said.

In regular reorganizational business, the board named Cheryl Basista board president for 2008 and Marilyn Besoiu vice president.