ASHLAND — The Ashland City Teacher’s Association’s (ACTA) membership has rejected the last best offer from the Ashland City School District’s Board of Education due to unresolved concerns, according to a Thursday evening press release.
On Thursday, December 19, the ACTA’s membership met and voted down the tentative agreement that had been previously agreed upon by ACTA and the Ashland City Board of Education.
ACTA previously communicated these concerns to the Board, but for the membership, this tentative agreement did not sufficiently remedy them.
“Members expressed concern about the Board’s threat to take away expected compensation and desire to reduce job security for new hires, and we are hopeful these issues can be settled with the Board in 2020,” said ACTA spokesperson Rich Wasowski in a press release.
He went on to say teachers are anxiously anticipating a fair settlement and return to normal operations.
The news comes on the eve of a special meeting that the Ashland BOE had set for 7 a.m. Friday, Dec. 20 in anticipation of approving the contract.
The BOE had presented an updated last best offer at its Nov. 18 school board meeting, but the ACTA had responded the following week, saying the proposal did not meet the qualifications of a last best offer and would not be entertained.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, a conversation between the two parties led to “additional clarifications” to the board’s last best offer, and the board voted to recognize the modified document as the “last best and final offer.”
At that time, council president Dr. James Wolfe said if an agreement isn’t reached by Dec. 20, the board has decided to wait fact finding results, which were anticipated for February.
“We hope to work toward a fair contract for all ─ our students, teachers, the Board, and the community,” ACTA president Mel Baker said. “We’re a team. We work together. It’s what makes Ashland someplace special. ACTA is especially grateful for the continued support of Ashland residents. As always, ACTA remains always committed to Ashland students.”
Ashland City Teachers’ Association is affiliated with the Ohio Education Association which represents 121,000 teachers, education support professionals, and higher education faculty and staff.
