August 27, 2012 Brecksville, Ohio—Today, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District (BBHCSD) ratified new contracts with the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Education Association (BEA) and the Brecksville-Broadview Heights Organization Support Staff (BOSS), the unions representing the district’s teaching and non-teaching staffs respectfully. The announcement was made by David Tryon, school board president.
By a 4-1 vote, the school board approved two three-year contracts with optional fourth years. This contract will save the district more than $6.0 million over four years.
“These were difficult negotiations, but in the end, all parties found an acceptable compromise,” said Tryon. “Now, we will all work together to have a great 2012-13 school year.”
Highlights of the new contracts include:
- Potential savings against forecast will amount to more than $2.4 million from employee salaries over four years. The unions agreed to maintain the current salary schedule for 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 with steps frozen and not restored in the future. An optional fourth year (2015-16) also calls for freezing the current salary schedule with steps frozen and not restored. This option will not be triggered by the board unless the school district budget can accommodate it. It should be noted that teachers who advance their education will still be able to receive a raise in pay based upon the current salary schedule.
- Projected insurance savings over four years will exceed $3.8 million. Both unions’ employees will contribute 15 percent of premium costs for health and dental insurance and prescription drugs. The agreement requires employees whose spouses work outside the district to take their employers’ insurance. During the life of the contract a spousal premium reimbursement will be in effect, capped at $125 per month.
- An eight-hour teacher workday replaces the current teacher day. This item will provide flexibility to serve student needs now and in the future.
“I am pleased with this outcome,” said Scot Prebles, BBHCSD superintendent. “Students, families and our community did not have to endure a work stoppage. Sports and extracurricular activities continue uninterrupted, and the new school year should get off to a great start.”
Tryon commented, “When we began negotiations, we had three principles in mind: quality education, fiscal responsibility and fairness to employees. The board came to a collective conclusion that this contract reflects these principles.”
“We appreciate the support of the community in terms of their comments and actions, especially in passing our renewal levy,” said Tryon. “We thank our teachers and support staff for the savings we will realize now and in the future. Now, we need to
work together to enhance educational opportunities in our school district with a focus on fiscal responsibility.”
The Brecksville-Broadview Heights City School District has been receiving extensive local and even national coverage. “What we have experienced in these negotiations is not different from what is happening across the state and the entire country as funding
is being reduced or eliminated at the federal and state levels,” said Prebles. “Every school district must live within its means. The board and administration are dedicated to achieving this.”