New Strongsville Teachers Contract Could Save the District Money

Last week, Strongsville teachers and the school board negotiated a new 3-year contract which includes raises for the teachers in the amount of $470,000 a year in 2016 and 2017, and $320,000 in 2018.

Strongsville Superintendent Cameron Ryba, points out that the raises won't put the district in the red. In fact, through other provisions in the new contract, the district could save up to $490,000 a year, according to cleveland.com.

Ryba said that percentage the district pays out has remained steady over the last several years with around 80 percent going to salaries and benefits.

"About eight years ago it was 92 percent, so 80 percent is a good range for a school district," Ryba told cleveland.com.

Cleveland.com reports that these other provisions will make a difference in the bottom line.

• Remove medical insurance caps.
• Changing severance pay qualifications.
• Ending the retirement incentive.
• Tighten rules for personal leave.
• Update teacher evaluation parameters.
• Require teacher meetings during the school day.
• Finalize schedule for K-8 elective courses.
• Set ground rules for the next teacher negotiations.

For more on this story, visit Cleveland.com