The Van Wert County Courthouse

Friday, Mar. 29, 2024

L’view board OKs staff agreements

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Lincolnview Treasurer Troy Bowersock (background) didn't have much good financial news Tuesday evening, as Board member Alan Morris could attest to. (Dave Mosier/Van Wert independent)

Faced with state budget cuts and decreases in tax and investment income, the Lincolnview Local Board of Education approved some austerity measures during its June meeting Tuesday evening.

The board approved new three-year contracts for teaching and non-teaching employees and also decided to continue extended contracts for extracurricular positions for at least the coming school year.

Both teaching and non-teaching employees will receive a zero raise, with no seniority increases as well, in the first year. The second year of the contract calls for a zero salary raise, but employees will get seniority raises, while the third year of the contract calls for a half-percent salary increase and also allows seniority pay hikes.

Teachers would also receive pay increases based on educational attainment during the length of the contract.

Administrators will also feel their share of wallet pain, as they are taking no increases in any of the three years of the contract.

“We appreciate the settlement we got,” Superintendent Doug Fries said, noting that the administration and board were pleased with both teaching and non-teaching staff members’ efforts to come up with a contract that all hope will allow the district to avoid layoffs during the contract period.

“With the current economy and state cuts, things are tough,” the superintendent noted.

Following a lengthy executive session, the board also approved extended contracts for several staff members to maintain extracurricular activities in the district. Those contracts are as follows: Tony Campbell, career tech/vocational agriculture, 59 days ($19,116); Anna Battle, instrumental music, 20 days, ($3,824.40); Jay Hoersten, industrial technology, five days ($1,179.80); Brenda Leeth, high school-junior high school guidance counselor, 20 days, $6,050.20); and Deb Stetler, high school librarian, 10 days ($3,239).

District Treasurer Troy Bowersock had about the only good financial news for the board, although he also spooned out dollops of bad news as well. Bowersock noted that the district would end the current fiscal year in the black and that revenues and expenditures should be close to projections for the year.

He did provide some not-so-good news about investment income, stating that interest income this year was just $76,000, a little more than a fourth of the $281,000 generated two years ago in interest revenues.

The board approved hiring four new employees to fill positions in the district. Those hired included: Calli Coppus as a junior-senior high school math teacher; Brett Hammons as a second grade teacher; Lori Romes as a part-time elementary night custodian; and Michael Hill as a bus driver. All four contracts are contingent on the result of background checks and completion of any other requirements of the positions.

In other action, the board:

  • Accepted, with thanks, a donation of $2,000 from The Van Wert County Foundation for the district music department.
  • Approved a computer services agreement with the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative.
  • Authorized adoption and purchase of social studies and Work and Family Consumer Science textbooks and related materials.
  • Appointed Fries to represent the district on the Van Wert Area Schools Insurance Group (VWASIG) for the coming school year.
  • Authorized Scott Equity Exchange to supply gasoline and diesel fuel to the district.
  • Renewed a depository agreement with First Financial Bank, N.A., for a five-year period ending May 26, 2016.
  • Authorized overnight trips for the high school FFA members to an FFA camp in Carrollton and members of the high school to attend the University of Toledo November 18-19 for the High School Honors Choir Festival.
  • Approved student handbooks, with noted changes.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Lincolnview Local Board of Education will be on Monday, July 19, in the district conference room.

POSTED: 06/29/11 at 5:19 am. FILED UNDER: News