The Olentangy Teachers Association (OTA) today approved a one-year contract extension that includes a zero percent increase to the base salary. “OTA believes in partnerships,” said OTA President Elaine Eddy. “Our community is going through some difficult economic times right now. The teachers understand and want to do our part as members of the Olentangy community.”
OTA represents 1,058 teachers in the Olentangy Local School District. The previous contract was approved in 2008 and is scheduled to expire June 30, 2011. This tentative contract extension will now be added as an action item to the Olentangy Board of Education’s agenda for their October 27 meeting. If approved, this new contract will allow the district to avoid $1.3 million in potential wage increase costs next school year. This is in addition to the $706,364 in wage increase cost avoidance from all non-union classified employees, both classified union groups and the district’s administrators all foregoing base-wage increases for the 2010-11 school year.
“Olentangy staff members are part of this community,” said Superintendent Wade Lucas, Ed.D. “During these difficult times, it’s gratifying to see that our staff recognizes the reality of our fiscal conditions by giving up base-wage increases to help out their neighbors.”
Olentangy Board of Education meetings begin at 6 p.m. in Conference Rooms A and B of the district’s Administrative Offices, 814 Shanahan Road in Lewis Center. Meeting agendas are posted on the district’s website at www.olentangy.k12.oh.us/district/board/mtgs.html 48 hours in advance of meetings.