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WINTERSVILLE -- Ohio school districts are working to meet new mandates when it comes to teacher pay schedules, but a question of state funding disparities led talks during the Indian Creek Board of Education meeting on Thursday.
The school board previously approved a small pay increase to meet changes in a state law under the state's biennial budget. The change mandates school districts to meet a minimum salary schedule of $35,000 for the 2023-24 school year and Indian Creek was among those that took action. During the regular session at Cross Creek Elementary School, Indian Creek Education Association President Karen Lloyd thanked the board for working with the union and said the current disparity in state funding makes it impossible for the district to meet all of the financial requirements.
"That's something that's wrong on a state level," Lloyd said. "We have to get this funding fixed because we have teachers working 19 years making $100,000 a few miles from here and we make less. If there is any possibility that you have the ears of the legislators, it's so imperative that our voices are heard. Our teachers are doing the best we can and we have all the support the district can afford."
She added that additional teachers were needed but the funding was not available and the district may have to seek help through a future levy or other source. Lloyd said there also have been social-emotional among preschoolers from COVID and more support is needed on the government level. To that end, she was working with the National Education Association and learned the topic has made discussion on Capitol Hill.
"We've asked for funding for new buildings and we've gone to the community for levy renewals. At some point, we'll have to ask for more money from the community or somewhere. We've always talked about teachers' salaries for years and this pandemic has made it worse. We appreciate the job you do."
Discussion ensued and officials concurred. Superintendent T.C. Chappelear said property values have skyrocketed and legislators have been talking about H.B. 920, which would eliminate the 20-mill floor on levies.
"We are at the 20-mill floor and when the re-evaluation happens, we could get more money," he said. "But they are talking about eliminating the 20-mill floor and that would be devastating to us if that would happen."
District Treasurer Denise Todoroff said more than 60 percent of schools are at the 20-mill floor and the state funding formula has increased its outputs for the first time in years. Todoroff added that the state is using the average salary and income in its plan but then the figures are frozen for the second year of the budget.
"If they update the formula and make it work, we can see some increases."
"Your point is well taken, Karen," said board member Dr. John Figel. "Unfortunately, teachers and educators are left behind. You see the disparity. You look at educators' salaries compared to what we're seeing. We hear you, and hopefully our legislators will do something to help even the playing field."
Under personnel matters, the board approved teachers Amanda Renner, Amy Rusnak, Karen Lloyd and Stacy Zink and paraprofessionals Holly Edwards, Laura Sabedra-Norris and Kimberly Constantine for before-and-after school staffing; employed Chelsea Connor as a preschool special needs teacher at Cross Creek and Colleen Shepherd as a part-time reading teacher at Bishop John King Mussio Elementary; named paraprofessionals Stephanie Hutter and Mary Frances Lucas, custodian Allen Quinn, cafeteria/paraprofessional Zoe Schupp and cafeteria/secretary/paraprofessional Miranda Still as classified substitutes; approved continuing contracts for cook/cashier Alison Spears; accepted the resignation of bus mechanic Gage Robinson for personal reasons; approved the resignation of Dave Moffat as E-Sports adviser with Owen Price named as successor; employed Christopher Trickett as a bus mechanic; accepted the resignation of morning bus attendant Joan Workman; and employed Zachary Crawford as a long-term substitute for the 2023-24 school year.
Among other action:
• The board approved an agreement with the Jefferson County Juvenile Court for a liaison officer through Aug. 31;
• Board Vice President Kim Mark, who led the meeting for absent President Bob Smith, recognized Gabrielle Buchanan as the 2023 Indian Creek High School homecoming queen. Officials also praised the school sports and band and thanked the teachers and staff for working this summer to prepare for the new school year;
• Leaders learned that repairs were finished to the gym floor at Indian Creek Middle School following a waterline break this winter;
• Officials discussed the recent Alumni Night at ICHS and subsequent dance and hoped organizers would build upon activities for next year;
• The board changed the location of the next meeting to Hills Elementary School at 6 p.m. Oct. 19.