SIDNEY – The Fairlawn Board of Education unanimously ratified a one-year labor agreement with its educators and classified staff during its meeting on Wednesday.
Everyone will receive a 3 percent pay raise at the start of the 2019-20 school year.
Also, separate action was taken to include administrators in matching the 3 percent raise in pay, and a contract was approved to enhance the lighting and energy in the building and on school grounds.
The contract will expire at the end of next school year, according to Superintendent Jeff Hobbs. Treasurer Keith Doseck estimated the action to add an additional $140,000 to payroll costs.
Hobbs reported the Fairlawn Teacher’s Association passed their pact by a 27-3 vote for the new benefit package. For changes to their medical insurance increases, the FTA voted 28-2 in favor.
According to Hobbs, there will be an additional $125 monthly premium increase for single insured, $270 monthly increase on family insurance and $10 monthly increase for dental coverage.
On the new salary scale, the starting salary for a teacher with up to two years of experience with a bachelor’s degree is $40,017. On the top of the scale is a teacher with 29 years of experience and a bachelor’s degree the salary would be $58,814.
The classified staff includes food service workers, bus drivers, aides, custodial personnel, etc. The rate of pay for bus drivers for those with three years or less experience would be $10,738 annually. The top rate of pay for bus driver with 27 years of experience is $15,034 a year.
The board approved a facility improvement and energy savings plan to upgrade lighting to the interior and exterior areas. Additional lighting is also part of the project.
Hobbs reported Energy Optimizers USA of Tipp City will be contracted for the project not to exceed $195,575. The company also will apply for a $25,000 utility savings rebate on behalf of the school.
The superintendent said new LED lighting will be installed throughout the campus. Additional exterior lighting is included.
Hobbs said the project may begin as early as next week. The hiring of the company was conducted through the Ohio Council of Educational Purchasing Consortia.
In other money matters, the board authorized Doseck to make transfers and temporary appropriations as needed. The appropriations included $1.5 million to the General Fund, $60,000 to Food Service, $50,000 to Capital Improvement and $40,000 to Special Revenue to establish a Quality Improvement Grant fund.
A transfer of $17,500 from the General Fund to the Maintenance Fund also was approved.
