Strongsville Teachers Will Receive Raises With New Contract

For the first time in three years, Strongsville teachers have a multi-year contract and will be receiving raises. Under the agreement, teachers will receive salary increases of 1.5 percent in 2016-17, 1.5 percent in 2017-18, and 1 percent in 2018-19, and agreed-upon ground rules for 2019 negotiations.

Also included in the three-year agreement are updates to teacher evaluation procedures, removal of medical insurance caps, streamlining personal leaves, integration of collaborative teacher-based teams into the school day, finalization of grades K-5th and grades 6th-8th elective course scheduling, removal of retirement incentives and reduction of severance pay for resigning employees.

The new contract is significant—Strongsville teachers have not had a multi-year contract since the eight-week-old strike in 2013.

"This three-year agreement builds upon the current one-year agreement and is the result of a continued cooperative working relationship between both administration and teachers," Dan Foust, Strongsville Schools Communications Coordinator said in a statement.

Strongsville Education Association President, and middle school science teacher, Ian Steffen said, “The professionalism demonstrated during this process is a direct reflection of the continued efforts by both sides to strengthen and develop relationships within our district. This three-year agreement is another positive step forward in guiding Strongsville to be the premier school district we are all focused on it becoming. The collaborative efforts, shared vision, and continued mutual respect between administration and staff will drive our district to this goal. As educators, we look forward to the opportunity to empower and inspire all students to find their love for learning, all the while pushing them to reach their maximum potential as learners and future leaders of this community."