Olentangy to avoid $706,364 in wage increase costs for 2010-11
The Olentangy Local Schools Board of Education tonight approved negotiated labor agreements with two of the district’s classified union groups. The agreements are for the 2010-11 school year with the bus drivers, AFSCME AFL-CIO Local #322, and the custodial/maintenance/field service staff, OAPSE Local #039. Both agreements include a zero percent base-wage increase, also known as a cost of living adjustment.
“The district, community, state and even our entire nation are experiencing tough economic times,” said Board of Education President Julie Wagner Feasel. “All parties have agreed to a zero percent base-wage increase to show that we understand this situation and are feeling the same financial hardships as our taxpayers.”
The new agreements do incorporate limited language changes such as including second and third shift differential pay rates that were inadvertently omitted from the previous negotiated agreement, but have always been paid.
Earlier this year, the district announced $235,000 in cost savings by non-union classified employees foregoing cost of living pay raises and $200,000 in all administrators foregoing pay raises, both for the 2010-11 school year. The district is avoiding an additional $271,364 in potential wage increase costs through these agreements.
“Olentangy Local Schools has committed to providing an excellent quality education for students at an efficient cost to tax payers,” said Olentangy Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. “These agreements demonstrate not only the administration and board’s dedication to that goal, but that our classified staff members are engaged in this culture as well.”