Austintown teachers pact approved tonight

AUSTINTOWN

The final step in a long negotiation process finally was resolved at the Austintown Board of Education meeting tonight.

Board members approved a negotiated agreement with the Austintown Education Association for a three-year teacher contract that was ratified by the teachers union Monday night.

“We’re happy to have this step done and happy to

reward the teachers,” said Superintendent Vincent Colaluca, echoing his statements from Monday.

Board members Kathy Mock, David Ritchey and Tom Stellers voted yes to the contract, while Harold Porter and Dave Schnurrenberger abstained because they have spouses in the school system.

The three-year pact includes a retroactive 1.95-percent increase to teachers’ base salaries, including teachers who would have received the raises after the contract

expired in May 2012. Teachers will receive another 1.95-percent increase if the budget generates $1.5 million or more in nonrestricted funds.

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