Reynoldsburg City Schools

Taking action to protect academic services for Reynoldsburg children, both employee associations in the Reynoldsburg City School District have agreed to complete pay freezes, giving up both step increases and cost-of-living increases with no provisions to "make up" the sacrifices in the next rounds of contract negotiations.

The Reynoldsburg Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting next week, to vote on the two offers, which combined with administrative salary freezes, will save the district more than $1 million. The special meeting is scheduled at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday on the Board of Education office, 7244 E. Main St.

In the past five years, the school district has reduced costs by 31 percent by cutting more than $17 million from a $54 million budget. After its third failed levy in November, district officials planned to eliminate another $4 million for next year.

The Reynoldsburg Support Service Association (RSSA) has ratified a two-year contract that would freeze salaries through July 31, 2011. The RSSA comprises secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, maintenance workers, cooks, security personnel and paraprofessionals. Their contract expired in July 2009.

The Reynoldsburg Education Association (REA), which represents all certified teachers in the district, has ratified a one-year contract extension that foregoes both step increases and cost-of-living raises. The extension would be in effect through July 31, 2011.

The district reduced the salaries of administrative and central office support staff by eight days across-the-board this school year and will freeze all of their salaries for the 2010-11 school year.

"This is a difficult time for our school district and our community," REA President David North said. "We want to protect our students from further cuts that will impact their education and their future."

RSSA President Rhonda Eberst said more than 90 percent of the classified staff are Reynoldsburg residents who understand the sacrifices families have made in the past year.

"We are not just employees of this district, we are parents and community members who are unwilling to sacrifice the education of our children," she said. "This isn't just our livelihood; this is our community and our future."

The employee concessions lessen the budget gap caused by a reduction in state funds, decreasing property tax revenues and three consecutive levy defeats. Superintendent Stephen D. Dackin praised the employees and called the concessions "extraordinary examples of shared sacrifice aimed at cutting the budget while trying to protect educational quality."

"These are permanent cost-savings that will help us continue our mission to provide the individualized, high-quality education that Reynoldsburg students deserve," Dackin said.

The schools are proud of their "Excellent" rating from the Department of Education and their great academic reputation but without additional funds from the local community, more drastic cuts that impact education will be necessary.

"Reynoldsburg City Schools are making big changes in response to a diminished budget, more mandates from the state and increasing costs," Board President Mary Burcham said. "We are so thankful that the REA and RSSA members along with our administrative staff have made this huge personal sacrifice to help us provide the best for our kids. That's what we're all here for. Cooperation from the entire community is essential to protecting the vitality of our city and our schools."