P
The
Since 1972
Campos seeks state See Sports
RESS December 26, 2016
FREE
Serving More Than h 33 33,000 000 H Homes & B Businesses i iin 4 C Counties ti
Days work See page 9
M
Lake Erie
Coalition threatens legal action By Press Staff Writer news@presspublications.com
Roland’s night The Genoa High School Band performed last Wednesday for a packed McDonald’s as well-wishers came out to support Genoa McDonald’s manager Roland Lopez who recently had his leg amputated. A percentage of sales from 4-8 p.m. went to assist Lopez, who has hosted many fundraisers for others in the Genoa community. Pictured with Lopez, center, are his niece Krystle Soviar and cousin Albert Mendoza. (Press photos by Ken Grosjean)
Oregon City Schools
Board OKs raises for teachers By Kelly J. Kaczala And Melissa Burden
“
My promise to the community is solid and honored. The levy revenue is going towards the programs we promised.
“
The Oregon Board of Education on Tuesday voted 3-0 for a three-year contract with the Oregon City Federation of Teachers (OCFT), which represents the district’s 260 teachers. Board members Keith Kennedy, Heather Miller, and board president Carol Ann Molnar were in favor of the agreement. Board members Jeff Ziviski and Michael Csehi were not in attendance. Members of the OCFT ratified the agreement on December 19. The district had been negotiating with the teachers’ union since March. Their previous contract had expired on July 31. The new contract gives teachers a 3 percent rate increase for the 2016-17 school year, a 2 percent increase for the 2017-18 school year, and a language and salary re-opener during the 2018-19 school year. It also provides for a restored step in the 2019-2020 school year. Employees of the district have not had a base wage increase since fiscal year 2009. But they continued to receive step increases. As part of their contract, teachers traditionally receive automatic salary “steps” or increases the longer they serve in the district. Step increases cost the district approximately $500,000 per year. Health care contributions remain the same in the new contract, with employees paying 15 percent of healthcare premiums. In a side letter, the OCFT also agreed to
form a joint committee to collaborate with school administration and explore performance based pay systems. Stable forecast “I am pleased our board of education, administration and OCFT were able to come to an agreement that honors the hard work our teaching staff do every day on behalf of students,” said Superintendent Hal Gregory. “This agreement allows our district to continue to attract and retain quality teaching staff while maintaining a stable five-year forecast.” “The new contract,” said board president Carol-Ann Molnar, “gives our teachers an increase over the period of three years while keeping within the budget constraints of the board of education.”
The school board earlier this year approved a new contract with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE), which represents non-certified positions such as secretaries, maintenance, bus drivers and school monitors. Oregon voters in November 2015 approved a 3.95-mill levy for the school district, which had been struggling financially for years. Before voters approved the levy, Gregory and Molnar had pledged that the $1.9 million annual levy revenue would go towards maintaining programs in career tech and athletics, and not salaries, which comprise over 80 percent of the district’s annual budget. Significant savings The teachers’ previous contract from 2014 to 2016 had replaced a three-year contract because the treasurer could only certify there would be enough funds in the budget until 2016. The wage increases in the new contract will be covered by significant savings in health care renewal rates and increased valuations of property leading to increased tax receipts of $700,000 annually, according to Treasurer Jane Fruth. In addition, the state allowed for a 7.5 percent increase in the Foundation cap, resulting in about $700,000 in extra monies for the district. And a tax abatement agreement between Oregon Clean Energy natural gas plant and
Tuesday, a coalition of fishing boat captains, Lake Erie businesses, environmental and conservation advocates, and sportsmen groups said they are threatening to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency because of the agency’s “failure to abide by its obligations under the Clean Water Act.” “The legal action is part of an effort by groups to protect Lake Erie from harmful algal blooms, like the 2014 bloom which poisoned drinking water for more than 400,000 people,” the coalition states. The organizations filing Tuesday’s notice include the Ohio Environmental Council, Alliance for the Great Lakes, National Wildlife Federation, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Lake Erie Foundation, Lake Erie Charter Boat Association and the Michigan United Conservation Clubs. “We’re prepared to do what it takes to protect Lake Erie from toxic algae,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle Executive Director at the Ohio Environmental Council. “We need those in power to do all they can to actually solve this problem. Lake Erie, and everyone who depends on it for drinking water, jobs, and a place to fish and swim need the U.S. EPA to step in and do its job.” The notification to file a civil lawsuit under the Clean Water Act is in response to what these groups call “U.S. EPA’s failure to perform its duty to accept or deny Ohio’s and Michigan’s decisions on whether Lake Erie is ‘impaired,’ which means that the water quality does not meet legal standards for fishing, swimming, and drinking.” Michigan has sought approval to designate its portion of the western basin of Lake Erie as impaired under the Clean Water Act. In a statement, the group says “Ohio continues to refuse” to list all of its portion of the western basin of Lake Erie as impaired. “In the meantime, the U.S. EPA has Continued on page 4
Q
uote
of The Week
You do have control over your response. Bryan Golden See page 7
Continued on page 2
There is a reason we have sold more used cars than anyone in NW Ohio! 700+ New & Used Cars
Great Cars at Fair Prices!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
dunnchevybuick.com • 419-693-3000