Bluffton school board approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Bluffton Education Association (BEA) and Ohio Association Public School Employees (OAPSE) on Monday.

The agreement calls for a 2.9 percent pay increase each year effect July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2020, according to Greg Denecker, Bluffton superintendent.

In separate action, the board also approved 2.9 percent pay increased to its administrative staff of Denecker, Marden Herr, Kyle Leatherman, Michael Minnig, Paula Parish and Michael Wilson.

The administrative contracts cover four years from Aug. 1, 2017, to July 31, 2021. The exception is Wilson’s contract that begins July 1, 2017.

Jessica Grandey, assistant treasurer, also received a four-year contract with a 2.9 percent increase per year Aug. 1, 2017, to July 31, 2021.

The administrative assistant (secretary) wage schedule was also approved in a three-year contract at 2.9 percent increase per year from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2020.

Contracts offered

The board offered a one-year contract to Megan (Dunlap) Quinton, as a first grade teacher. She is a Bluffton High School graduate. Salary is $42,957.

Taylor Buddelmeyer was issued a long-term substitute contact as a Kindergarten teacher.

Denecker told The Icon of the following teacher grade level changes for 2017-18:
• Julie Inniger moves from fifth grade to third grade – (covering Ann Kingsley’s retirement)
• Jeff Richards moves from Kindergarten to fifth grade
• Megan Quinton replaces Richards as last year’s larger Kindergarten advances to first grade

In action involving the coming school year, the board approved:
• Transportation agreement for low-incident handicapped students
• Renewed membership to the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy of School Funding ($601.50)
• Renewed athletic training coverage contract with St. Rita’s Medical Center ($5,500)
• Renewed membership of the middle school and high school in the Ohio High School Athletic Association
• Approved a transportation routing plan with its regular bus drives
• Approved a contract with SORSA for fleet, property and liability insurance ($55,528)

Breakfast and lunch prices for 2017-18 were held at the same prices as 2016-17.  Denecker said that this past year was the first in several years that the cafeteria fund ended the school year in the black.

Breakfast prices:
$1.50 - Elementary, middle, high school students
$2.00 – Adults

Lunch prices:
$2.50 – Elementary
$2.50 – Middle school
$2.75 – High School
$3.25 – Adults

Additional board action is in the agenda attached.