By Linda Dillman
Staff Writer
Negotiations between the Canal Winchester Education Association and school district administrators resulted in a new three-year agreement giving teachers a 2.5 percent raise the next two years and a 2 percent raise for the 2017-18 school year.
On April 20, the Canal Winchester Board of Education approved the agreement, which also includes the addition of two steps to the salary schedule.
During the 2015-16 school year, the salary range for a new teacher is $36,325 to $43,772. An instructor’s salary range at step 29 for the same time period is between $63,024 and $79,189 for 186 duty days.
“We had a very successful and productive two and a half days with the CWEA,” said Superintendent James Sotlar. “It (contract) is a very responsible one and it keeps our district on a stable financial path.”
Treasurer Joyce Boyer said the increase was incorporated into, and still maintains, the integrity of the district’s five-year financial forecast.
A year ago, voters approved a $5.8 million, five-year substitute renewal levy that did not raise taxes and continued a 12.5 percent school tax pick-up by the state. It also afforded the district the opportunity to receive supplemental income from new residential and commercial development.
Revenue from the substitute emergency levy renewal was earmarked for daily operations.
Other CW school news
•The board hired Kelly Zywczyk as principal at Winchester Trail Elementary. She currently serves as the school’s assistant principal and was previously employed as a teacher. Her predecessor, Cyndi Toledo, moves into the curriculum director’s position when Janine Taylor retires at the end of the school year. Deb Finck, high school assistant principal, will work with Toledo and middle/high school building staff in the newly created position of assistant director of curriculum and instruction beginning Aug. 1.
•The board approved hiring Martin Hugo as technology supervisor on a two-year contract. While the position is new this year, Sotlar said the district previously employed a technology supervisor before contracting out the services. Hugo, who has two decades of experience, including 15 years in the Hilliard school system. In addition to the two–year contract, the board approved a bridge contract with Hugo effective May 4 until he starts his regular contract on Aug. 1.
•Health insurance rates are going up for district employees, but Boyer said the increase is 2 percent less than anticipated. Canal Winchester is self-insured through the South Central Ohio Insurance Consortium and premiums are going up by eight percent. Dental premiums are going up by 1.9 percent with the district picking up 100 percent of the cost. The district also provides free vision insurance, which remained the same for both single and family employees.
