Boardman teachers freeze base pay

The contract extension also freezes supplemental teacher pacts.

STAFF REPORT

BOARDMAN — Teachers in Boardman schools and the board of education have agreed to a two-year contract extension, said Kim Poma, board president.

There is no increase in base salary in the extension, she said.

The extension also freezes supplemental contracts for more than 170 teachers who serve as club and class advisers, musical and drama directors and coaches.

Teachers not receiving a longevity increase as provided in the existing contract will receive a stipend of $83 per month in the first year and $104 per month in the second year of the extension. The stipends are funded by savings that last year’s retirement incentive program generated, Poma said.

The Boardman Education Association ratified the agreement March 20.

“It was important to both sides to get as much mileage out of the February 2003 levy money as possible,” said BEA president Brad Calhoun.

“Our teachers are aware of the challenges facing this community. This was the right thing to do, and it wasn’t a tough sell,” he said.

“I am so proud of our teachers for their overwhelming support of this extension and of our board for striving for continued fiscal integrity,” Poma said.

“The administration is pleased with the cooperation the Boardman Education Association has shown over the past several years,” said Frank Lazzeri, superintendent of the 4,700-student school district.

“Through the efforts of the board of education, teachers’ association, classified union and administration, we have instituted programs that have saved the district well over $8 million since the passage of the last operating levy in 2003.”

Poma said the current contract would have expired at the end of June. Talks about an extension began last fall, she said.