ASHLAND — The Ashland City School District’s Board of Education has approved a continuing contract for the Ashland City Teacher Association (ACTA) president Melissa Baker.
At a special meeting Monday evening, the board chose to follow the recommendation of a lengthy arbitration process, which supported Baker’s request to transition from limited contracts to a continuing contract.
“Instead of having a set five years and then re-signing in five years, it’s a commitment for me to the district and between the district and me,” said Baker, who is a high school Spanish teacher.
It makes her feel “better and safer,” she continued. The Ohio Education Association explains that a continuing contract will remain effective unless the teacher dies, resigns, chooses to retire or is suspended or terminated with cause.
The decision comes amid ongoing contract negotiations. Fact finding is underway, and Baker says the last meeting was held last Wednesday. The results are expected in about four weeks.
The Ashland BOE approved her new contract in a 4-0 vote. Dr. James Wolfe chose to abstain.
“We have a process that we negotiate agreements with our unions for a reason, and it’s a process that we follow, and when a process works it’s way entirely through it, and results come back — as one board member — I feel strongly that I will honor that, the results of that arbitration and so forth,” said board member Mike Heimann. “So on my end… I do believe in the process, and I will support the findings of the process.”
Baker recalls submitting her request for a continuing contract in the 2016-2017 school year. She went through the evaluation process, but was denied at the end of the school year.
“And I wasn’t given any reason why,” Baker said.
She continued to fight for a continuing contract, and in September 2019, the arbitration ruling came out in her favor. Baker says she’s been asking about “what’s next” since then, so she was pleased to have resolution Monday.
According to Baker, she’s taught at Ashland City Schools for approximately 16 years. She’s been ACTA president for three years. She has three children in the district.
“I don’t see myself going anywhere,” Baker said.
