Teacher calls for Poland superintendent's resignation

By AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

POLAND

Five hundred forty-six signatures line six pages of an alumni letter addressed to the Poland Board of Education in support of the Poland Education Association teachers’ union.

Letter reader A.J. Minotti said during Monday night’s board of education meeting that there is strong support among alumni for the Poland teachers.

He called the current contract impasse between the board and the teachers “outrageous.”

“Our success is a direct result of the hard labors of our teachers,” Minotti read.

Teachers from Boardman and Struthers came to the meeting to show support.

Boardman teacher Jen Basista said the reason behind their presence is simple: “It’s just teachers supporting teachers,” she said.

“We are supporting our neighbors to the east,” said Boardman teacher Randy Nord. “We would want their support if we were in a similar situation.”

Both Nord and Basista came sporting maroon Boardman Education Association teachers’ union shirts.

Many Poland teachers were in attendance sporting blue unity Poland shirts.

Without investing in the teachers, Minotti read that alumni fear for a diminished value in Poland education.

Minotti and 29-year teacher Sam Landry both called for the firing or resignation of schools Superintendent David Janofa. There was no response from the board or superintendent to that call during the meeting.

Landry said the board needs to get rid of Janofa and rid itself of members who “rubber stamp” what Janofa directs.

He continued to say that the fact that the board can’t find a 1 percent raise for teachers is ridiculous.

Janofa currently makes $119,188, more than any other superintendent in Mahoning County schools.

Minotti and Landry were two of four speakers at a meeting in which more than 300 people were in attendance due to a public participation cap.

Boos sounded from the crowd as Elinor Zedaker, board president, capped participation at 15 minutes.

“Please be reminded this is a meeting held in public but is not a public meeting,” she said.

Zedaker said board members would be available after the meeting for more conversation.

The Poland teachers’ union issued the following statement: “Poland teachers are very disappointed at the Board’s remarks this evening concerning negotiations. The disrespect shown to members of the Poland Education Association throughout negotiations continues to be expressed by the board. The board’s claim that it has negotiated in good faith rings hollow, and its statement that all teachers receive a raise without increasing the base salary is blatantly false.”

PEA spokeswoman Nichole Blaze said, “Despite the lack of progress at the bargaining table, Poland teachers continue to be dedicated to this community and in educational excellence for our children. But our patience is wearing thin. During the three rounds of negotiations prior to this one, Poland teachers were asked to sacrifice and accept either base salary freezes or base salary increases that were far less than increases in the cost of living. We did our part, now it is time for the board to do their part.

“All teachers want is a fair and equitable contract. The board says that they are working through the federal mediator and want to reach an agreement, but they ended the two mediation sessions that have been held. Teachers were prepared to continue the talks.”

The teachers’ last agreement from 2016 to 2018 gave educators a 1 percent raise each year of a two-year contract. It also stipulated that teachers contribute 10 percent of all health care costs in 2016-17, and 10.5 percent in 2017-18.

Under the terms of their previous three-year contract, teachers got a 0.5 percent raise for half of the first year; a 0.75 percent raise the second year; and a 0.5 percent raise the final year, bringing them to a collective 3.5 percent raise over the past five years. Before that, teachers were working under a salary freeze for two years.

Per the final year of the previous contract, teachers with a bachelor’s degree could have made between $35,298 and $70,243; master’s, between $39,534 and $76,597; doctorate, between $43,770 and $78,715.

Blaze added: “We deeply appreciate the support we are receiving from the Poland community. Please contact Poland school board members and insist that they return to the bargaining table and negotiate a fair raise.”