Classified School Employees Agree on Contract, Concessions

A day after the agreed on a contract with its teachers, it for its classified staff Thursday morning.

Just like the teachers, the classified personnel will also take a two-year salary freeze and pay more for benefits.

A comment from a classified staff representative was not immediately available. The district employes about 240 classified employees.

The classified employees have no increase in base salary and no longevity step increases. In the second year of the contract, part-time employees will receive a a $500 stipend and full-time employees will receive $1,000.

Employee contributions for benefits will increase from 5 percent to 10 percent the first year and to 15 percent the second year.

District Treasurer/CFO Catherine Bulgrin said single coverage now is $31.61 a month and it will double the first year and triple the second year.

Family coverage is currently $76.93 a month and that figure will also double and triple in cost during the course of the contract, she said.

"We are pleased that our certified staff have demonstrated their understanding of the economic situation and have come to the table to show their support for our students and our community," said Board President Pat Matthews. "It was a great team effort."

The full contract was not immediately available. Additional language was changed in the new contract.

Check back with Stow Patch for more information as it becomes available.