Youngstown teachers, school board back at the bargaining table Thursday

YOUNGSTOWN — City school teachers say they and the administration are supposed to be working together for the betterment of the district, but that isn’t happening.

About 70 teachers, many clad in bright yellow YEA (Youngstown Education Association) United T-shirts, showed up this afternoon outside of the Ward building where the school board meetings. The teachers believed the meeting started at 6 p.m., but during the summer, the caucus session begins at 4:30 p.m. with the regular meeting immediately following.

“We’ve agreed to changes in the health-care plan and we’re willing to pay our fair share,” said Helen Matusick, labor relations consultant with the Ohio Education Association.

Superintendent Connie Hathorn said another bargaining session between the board and union is set for Thursday. He said the district will be ready for the start of the school year Sept. 3.

Both sides have agreed not to discuss specifics of negotiations.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com