Journal-News.com

FAIRFIELD — The Fairfield Board of Education's vote to approve the first of three union contracts Thursday, Sept. 4, was met with internal opposition.

Board member Arnold Engel was the lone vote against the agreement reached with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 727.

"You can assume there was no plan by this board of education to ever try to save any money for the taxpayers," Engel said.

The new contract for 18 custodial and cafeteria supervisors calls for a 2.75 percent salary increase this year effective July 1 and a 2.5 percent salary increase effective the following year. The employees would pay 11 percent the first year toward health care premiums — 1 percent more than last year, and 12 percent the following year.

The contract agreement will be reopened the third year once Treasurer Nancy Lane has more information for the five-year forecast, she said.

At this point there are not sufficient funds to certify contracts that far in advance.

The district's Fairfield Classroom Teacher's Association has not yet reached a contract nor have the three other OAPSE unions Local 205, 378 and 568 that bargain together.

In other business, the board heard a proposal to update the facilities usage plan.

"Energy costs are rising, and to keep up with those costs and wages when you use the facility, you have to balance these costs," said Business Manager Chad Lewis.

Groups also will now be required to pay for the facility costs up front and will be billed for any personnel fees. Another change includes a fee to use baseball and softball fields.