Stow-Munroe Falls School District CFO/Treasurer Catherine Bulgrin voluntarily froze her wages Jan. 24 even though the Board of Education approved a new five-year contract with a raise in December.

Bulgrin's salary will now remain at her current level next school year, about $106,000 annually. The contract the school board approved would have given her a 2.95 percent raise.

Figuring in some supplimental compensation and the raise, her salary would have increased to about $109,000, she said. Now, her voluntary concession will save the district about $3,000.

 In the board-approved contract, the treasurer would have only receive an additional raise if the collective bargaining employees got a raise.

"I want to formally thank [the board] for making a five-year commitment to continue as the districts fiscal officer," she said. "I'm honored to be given opportunity to remain in this district that is 'Excellent.'"

Board President Pat Matthews said "we appreciate you thinking of the community and students and district."

Bulgrin said the contract the board approved had caused a "ripple effect of mistruths throughout the community" and with the district facing deficit spending, she said she wanted to freeze her salary.