Maumee Teachers, School Board Agree On New Contracts
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
The stalemate between the Maumee Education Association and the school district ended last week when both sides voted to accept a new contract.
On January 30, teachers voted 185-to-8 in favor of approval. At a special meeting on February 4, the board voted 4-to-1 to adopt the agreement.
School board member Glenn Rambo opposed it, while Stephanie Piechowiak, Bob Righi, Sylvia Washburn and Janet Wolff voted in favor of it.
The contract gives teachers a 3 percent wage increase and does not recommend a change in health insurance.
District Superintendent Dr. Greg Smith said he was hopeful through the negotiations that the process would work.
“I am very pleased we have this resolved and can move forward to educate the students,” he said. “I was optimistic that if the process outlined in the contract was used, it would work.”
Jim Windnagle, spokesperson for the MEA, also expressed gratitude that an agreement has been reached.
“We feel pretty good and clearly we’re glad to be back to work for the kids,” he said.
The new agreement, which came in the form of a report issued by an independent fact-finder, recommends a three-year contract beginning January 1, 2008. The contract will be re-opened in the third year to re-negotiate wages, health insurance and other economic issues.
According to the report, uncertain economic conditions make it necessary to revisit those issues in two years.
Windnagle was disappointed with that finding.
“We would have loved to see a three-year agreement with those issues, but we’re glad to be back in the classroom,” he said.
Contract talks began last August; however, the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement and a federal mediator was unsuccessful in helping them.
The contract expired on December 31, 2007.
Last month, after hearing from both sides, the fact-finder issued non-binding recommendations in the form of a report.
Although several issues were on the table, the main points of contention involved wages and health care benefits.
The school district originally proposed a three-year contract with an annual wage increase of 1.25 percent.
Additionally, the board proposed eliminating health care benefits for spouses who have comparable coverage, requesting that a working spouse obtain coverage elsewhere if his or her employer picks up 70 percent or more of the cost of the plan.
The MEA rejected both proposals.
To read the fact-finder report in its entirety, visit the district Web site at www.maumee.k12.oh.us.
Strayer Road Hospital Opponents Distribute Nearly 2,000 Fliers
BY KAREN BERGER — MIRROR REPORTER
Nearly 2,000 fliers were passed out to Monclova residents last week, urging them attend a public hearing about a proposed Mercy Health Partners 34-bed hospital and medical building at the northeast corner of Strayer Road and US 20A.
Bob Tjan, who created the fliers, believes the infrastructure of the two-lane US 20A will not support the increase in traffic, especially considering the existing congestion at Dussel and I-475. And, although the zoning commission previously recommended that Mercy Health Partners eliminate a helipad from its plans, he believes Mercy will fight for it.
Tjan, who has worked for St. Luke’s Hospital for four years, said he was a Mercy Health Partners employee for 30 years and left amicably. He is concerned that all of the health care competition cannot be supported in the community.
The public hearing is set for Tuesday, February 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the township administration building.
During the February 4 township meeting, the trustees also:
• Heard Marcus Ricci, an urban conservation specialist with the Lucas County Soil & Water Conservation District, present information on a Swan Creek Watershed pilot project funded by the Ohio Lake Erie Commission.
The project seeks to identify conservation, agricultural and recreational areas so the state knows where to focus its funding. Ricci asked Monclova Township trustees to make recommendations on the project and adopt a resolution of support.
• Debated whether, as trustees, they could adopt a resolution showing support for the 6.5-mill Anthony Wayne Local Schools levy on the March 4 ballot, as levy campaign chairman Les Disher asked. By Tuesday, Disher learned from solicitor Walt Celley that such a resolution was legal, and trustees approved it.
• Decided to ask Toledo Edison about putting up a light on an existing utility pole at US 20A and Coder Road.
• Approved a joint cooperative agreement for a countywide crack seal program.
• Heard a resident ask about Poppy’s Pole Paradise and its liquor license. Zoning administrator Eric Wagner said Poppy’s license comes up for its annual review in June.
The next regular meeting of the Monclova Township trustees will be on Tuesday, February 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the township building, 4335 Albon Rd.
