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EAST PALESTINE -- School District administrators have been awarded salary increases over the next two years.
The board of education this month passed a resolution allowing for the in-kind salary increases established through the negotiated collective bargaining agreement between the district and the East Palestine Education Association.
According to the resolution, administrators will receive a 2 percent increase for fiscal year 2027 and a 3 percent increase for fiscal year 2028.
"The Board of Education recognizes the importance of maintaining competitive and equitable compensation for District administrators and believes that aligning administrative salary increases with those established through the negotiated agreement with the EPEA (East Palestine Education Association) is in the best interests of the District," the resolution states.
The board awarded members of the EPEA union 2 percent and 3 percent base wage raises for their new two-year contract back in July.
During the most recent regular board meeting the board also approved Sherry Bilsky as elementary school secretary, Kelly Rambo as elementary school lunch aide, Darlene Johnson as middle school lunch aide, and Nathan Williams as part-time Title 1 staff for the middle school.
Cindy Schmidt was also approved as substitute EMIS Coordinator.
Additional compensation was also awarded to Rachelle Karabin as school psychologist.
Furthermore, the board also approved participation in the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, a memorandum of understanding with Lighthouse Cove regarding the direct support professionals program, and a memorandum of understanding with the EPEA regarding additional part-time staff.
Specifically, an additional part-time math teacher is needed at the middle school for the 2026-27 school year, according to the memorandum with the union.
The board also gave first reading to the revision or replacement of some existing board policies, and new board policies.
Policies for approval included those pertaining to transportation, food services, school safety, use of social media, staff technology acceptable use and safety, vendor relations, digital content accessibility, class rank, and credit card payments.
It was also announced that the East Palestine Band Night will take place on Oct. 3.
The board also met in special session on Sept. 23 to consider the employment and/or discipline of a public employee; to discuss investigations against a public employee; and to consider matters required to be kept confidential by federal law or regulations or state statutes.
No action was taken following the executive session.