Board of Education Approves Labor Contract

The North Canton City Schools Board of Education approved a new three-year labor contract with the North Canton Classified Personnel Association. 

The board unanimously approved the pact with the Classified Association, which represents bus drivers, secretaries, food service personnel, custodians, mechanics, classified librarians, aides, monitors, maintenance employees, interpreters, and technology support specialists.

The action took place at a special board meeting Wednesday.

Highlights of the new deal include the following:

• 0 percent base increase and no incremental step movement in year one. This is consistent with the current teachers’ and administrators’ contracts.

• In year two and year three, any salary schedule percentages will be the same as the teachers’ association at that time.

• Eligible employees now will pay 10 percent of the monthly insurance premium.

• Job-related travel will now be reimbursed at the IRS rate.

• Employees who do not use their three Special Leave Days shall be reimbursed $200 or less, depending upon weekly hours worked.

• Minor modifications were made in the areas of shift differentials, severance pay and specific supplemental job duties.

• Tuition-free attendance for staff members’ children was modified to reflect the teachers’ contract language.

• Extra-trip contract language was modified for the bus drivers who choose to take those trips. Specifically, the bidding rotation for those trips was clarified.

• The retirement bonus program was eliminated.

NCCPA President Tracie Heckaman shared her thoughts on the contract.

“With the massive financial cuts to Ohio’s public education system, our recent contract was agreed upon with the best interest of our students in mind," Heckman said. "This contract is responsive to the challenging economic conditions faced by our local taxpayers, and this agreement offers a realistic and fair resolution in our collective bargaining process.”

Superintendent Michael Gallina commended the negotiating teams for their collaboration.

"I am honored to have been a participant in the family-like bargaining atmosphere that took place," he said. "Each team member understood the financial climate of our school district and worked hard to create a strong contract that would support our students, families, and community in a responsible manner, while at the same time creating the foundation for future negotiations.”

The negotiations process took place on April 11 and April 12. The Classified Employees were briefed on the contract at a meeting on April 25, with the ratification vote taken on April 30. The Board of Education approval followed on May 9.