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EAST PALESTINE -- East Palestine School District classified staff will receive a 75 cents per hour raise in their new two-year agreement approved by the board of education this month.
The Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) union raise is for each year of the contract. The new contract is effective July of this year through June of 2028.
With the raise factored in the new salary schedule for union members in 2027 starts at $14.27 per hour for instruction monitor aides with zero years of experience and ends at $19.01 per hour for instruction monitor aides with 30 years of experience.
Custodians will start at $17.28 per hour with the top rate set at $21.88 per hour, while bus drivers will earn $19.54 per hour with the top rate set at $24.21 per hour, and secretaries will earn $17.45 per hour with the top rate set at $22.13 per hour under the new schedule.
In 2028, the rate schedule will be $15.02 per hour for instruction monitor aides with zero experience with the top rate set at $19.76 for instruction monitor aides with 30 years of experience.
Custodians will start at $18.03 per hour, with the top rate set at $22.63 per hour; bus drivers will earn $20.29 per hour to start and top out at $24.96; and secretaries will earn $18.21 per hour and top out at $22.88.
Also included in the new contract is an extension of accumulated sick leave to 294 days.
Bus drivers will also be compensated for one hour for any extracurricular or field trips canceled due to weather if they have already shown up to the bus garage.
Drivers will also be compensated for a minimum of one hour if a trip is canceled within 24 hours of the scheduled departure time for non-weather related reasons, according to the agreement.
"The board expresses its appreciation to the members of the negotiation team for their efforts, professionalism, and commitment to reaching an agreement that supports the educational mission of the East Palestine City School District," the resolution stated.
The board approved a new two-year agreement with the East Palestine Education Association in July.
That agreement included a 2 percent base wage increase the first year and 3 percent the second year.
District Superintendent James Rook said when contacted previously by this reporter that the public should be aware that the wage increases for staff are a separate issue from the income tax levy being sought by the district.
The district is currently seeking a 1 percent earned income tax levy.
The board recently approved putting the levy on the November general election ballot.
"Competitive compensation allows us to retain the talented people our students depend on every day, while the levy helps ensure the district has the long-term financial resources to provide quality educational programs and services, even as operating costs continue to rise," he said.
He added that the district believes it is possible and necessary to be both fiscally responsible and committed to attracting and retaining excellent employees.
"The school district has and will continue to take the necessary steps to protect its future fiscal solvency. The district has worked diligently over the past several years to manage its finances responsibly. We've carefully reviewed expenditures, identified strengths and opportunities for growth, and made thoughtful decisions about staffing, purchasing, and operations. Those efforts have helped us be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and have allowed us to make strategic investments in our employees while maintaining the services our students deserve," he said.