West G Inks Agreement With Teachers Union
Superintendent Richard Markwardt expressed gratitude April 22 after West Geauga Schools Board of Education approved an agreement with the West Geauga Education Association.
Superintendent Richard Markwardt expressed gratitude April 22 after West Geauga Schools Board of Education approved an agreement with the West Geauga Education Association.
The terms of the contract are expected to begin July 1, 2024, and end June 30, 2027, according to the agreement.
“I am grateful that the board and the teachers’ union were able to come to such a speedy agreement,” Markwardt said, adding the agreement between the teachers’ union and the school board was a rollover of the existing contract with minor language housekeeping edits.
“We did not actually commence full negotiations,” he said. “The board and the teachers’ union have had a strong positive relationship for the last several years and I think that history of cooperation is what made the rollover possible without reopening the contract.”
The base salary for teachers will increase by 3.2% during the 2024-2025 school year, 3.3% during the 2025-2026 school year and 3.5% during the 2026-2027 school year, according to the agreement.
Markwardt said the annual raises for the next three years are healthy ones that reflect the effort and success of teachers in raising the bar on instruction.
“They are deserved raises,” Markwardt said.
He acknowledged not knowing of any other Ohio school district that has matched the academic gains of West Geauga in recent years.
“The board and administrators are appreciative of our teachers’ work,” he said.
In other business, school board members passed a resolution for the donation of former Newbury Schools memorabilia to the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum.
“Much of the memorabilia is still here because we are going to be showcasing it in our athletic department and some of our showcases,” Markwardt said. “This was material that we agreed could be placed with the Geauga County Historical Society and Century Village Museum.”
A total of 197 items will be donated to the historical society and CVM, which include photos, yearbooks, chairs, knight statues, floor mats, a certificate, a teacher contract from 1928, uniforms, programs, and a building cinderblock and plaque, according to the resolution.
