Ashtabula BOE, teachers union agree to one-year pact

ASHTABULA ? The Ashtabula Area City Schools Board and Ashtabula Area Teachers Association (AATA) have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement in which the teachers agreed to almost $110,000 in concessions, representatives from both sides said Friday.

The district?s continuing financial emergency and new requirements from the state regarding teacher evaluation and reduction in force allowed only a one year contract which will be in effect from Aug. 1, 2012 through July 31, 2013, Superintendent Joseph Donatone said.

?We appreciate the Teachers Associations? willingness to forego salary increases again and accept additional financial concessions in salary and health care premiums,? he said.

The agreement includes no base wage increase for a fourth consecutive year, increased contributions to health care premiums by employees and experience step freezes for six months of the year.

Teachers who took additional graduate course work will receive education advancement on the salary schedule for the entire year.

AATA President Lisa Love said, union members once again have assisted the school board in meeting its obligations during this financial crisis.

?At a time where we have seen over 100 of our colleagues laid-off or their positions eliminated, increased class sizes, reduced educational opportunities for our students and four failed levy attempts, we are standing up and showing the community that we understand their financial pain by agreeing to almost $110,000 in concessions with this contract,? she said.

Love said the students and teachers deserve the best and this contract is the best they could do, given the current financial emergency.

School Board President Christine Seuffert said, ?The AATA and Board of Education have once again met the challenge of maintaining professional standards and addressing the financial and academic emergency faced by the Ashtabula Area City Schools. Both teams are to be commended for their ability to address the needs of the certified staff and the district.?

Source: http://starbeacon.com/local/x325725710/Ashtabula-BOE-teachers-union-agree-to-one-year-pact

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