Cleveland Heights-University Heights Board of Education work session highlights 9-29-20

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

Board President Jodi Sourini and members Dan Heintz, Malia Lewis, James Posch and Beverly Wright were present. Also attending were Superintendent Elizabeth Kirby and Treasurer Scott Gainer. 

Approval of resolution concerning union contract provisions

All members of the board spoke at length about the district’s financial constraints due to factors such as EdChoice vouchers and the expenses and loss of district funds due to the COVID-19 virus. Many expressed their respect for the district’s teachers.

The board then unanimously approved a resolution that the district implement the board's last, best final offer on open contract provisions until a successor agreement is reached. Highlights of this agreement are: base salaries will not be increased, employees will pay 15 percent of health insurance premiums along with copays and other plan details, beginning January 2021, and the district will no longer pick up one percent of the employee share of contributions to the STRS and SERS retirement systems. Regarding the salary schedule, eligible employees will continue to advance in the step scale.

Upcoming meetings include a regular meeting on Oct. 6 and a work session on Oct. 20 that focuses on EdChoice. The November regular meeting will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, because Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day. All will be held virtually, streamed on the district’s YouTube channel and recorded for later viewing. They can also be viewed at: https://stream.meet.google.com/stream/8f442366-4bbd-4160-aaeb-ece0f7ab6534.

LWV Observer: Robin Koslen.