Administrators at TPS ratify 2-year contract

7/8/2011
BY NOLAN ROSENKRANS
BLADE STAFF WRITER
TAAP president Don Yates said the union understands they have to be a part of the solution to the district's financial problems.
TAAP president Don Yates said the union understands they have to be a part of the solution to the district's financial problems.

Toledo's school administrators Wednesday overwhelmingly ratified a tentative agreement with the district, accepting salary and health-care concessions that mirror those approved last week by the teachers' union.

Toledo Association of Administrative Personnel members agreed to a two-year deal that will continue a 1 percent pay cut, reduce pay an additional 2.5 percent, freeze automatic longevity pay raises, increase the share administrators pay for health insurance, and eliminate 34 positions, union President Don Yates said. Union leadership endorsed ratification.

"It's tough economic times for the city of Toledo, and tough economic times for school districts in the state of Ohio," Mr. Yates said. "Our folks get that we have to be a part of the solution."

The administrators tentatively reached agreement with Toledo Public Schools last week, just days after the teachers' union accepted a fact finder's report. The Board of Education -- which also accepted the fact finder's report last week -- likely will call a special meeting to vote on the TAAP pact early next week, district spokeswoman Patricia Mazur said.

TAAP represents principals, counselors, and other nonteaching professionals. After the position cuts, the union will have about 270 members. Mr. Yates said the district will save $3.5 million by cutting the 34 jobs.

"It was probably the best we could have expected," TAAP member Gayle Schaber said after the union vote.

The administrators' union also agreed to contract language changes that would give the district some flexibility with transfers into open positions, Mr. Yates said. A copy of the pact was not publicly available Wednesday.

The district has only one union without a contract. Talks with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees are ongoing, officials said.

AFSCME represents bus drivers, food service workers, secretaries, skilled trades employees, and custodians. Its contract ended June 30; employees will work under the old pact until a new one is signed. The district is seeking financial concessions from the union similar to those it got from TAAP and the teachers' union, Superintendent Jerome Pecko said last week.