Board OKs contract
group adopts new name

Average classified employee to get 3.85% salary increase in '09

By CANDY BROOKS

ThisWeek Staff Writer

Published: December 18, 2008
Edition: Worthington
Section: News
Page: 01A



The average Worthington school district classified employee will receive a 3.85-percent salary increase in 2009, but much of that raise will go toward the higher cost of health insurance. Classified employees include bus drivers, secretaries, food service workers, maintenance and ground workers, custodians, crossing guards and academic aides and assistants.

The Worthington Board of Education unanimously approved a three-year contract with the union representing classified employees at a special meeting on Dec. 11.

The contract also changes the name of the union from the Worthington Classified Association (WCA) to the Worthington Educational Support Professionals (WESP).

The contract calls for a 2.85-percent increase to the salary schedule in 2009 and 2010. The current contract expires Dec. 31.

The 442 full-time-equivalent employees receive salary plus step increases for their first 11 years of employment. The average step increase is 1 percent. That brings the average salary increase in 2009 to 3.85 percent, explained Worthington district treasurer Jeff McCuen.

Most classified employees have been with the district for more than 11 years, he said.

Negotiations for wages and insurance will re-open during 2010 to cover adjustments for 2011.

The new contract also changes the date when employees receive step increases to Sept. 1. In the past, employees have received step increases during their anniversary months.

Hourly wages in 2009 will range from $13.13 for a first-year food service worker to $34.61 for an experienced administrative secretary.

The average classified salary in 2008 was $29,100. That will increase to $29,850 next year.

To help cover a 5-percent increase in the cost of health insurance in 2009, classified workers will pay 9 percent of the cost of premiums, up 3 percent from the 6 percent paid this year.

In 2008, an employee paid $67.90 a month for a family insurance plan. The board paid $1.064.

In 2009, the employee will pay $107.29, the board $1,085.

McCuen said the cost of the contract is covered in the district's most recent five-year financial forecast, which shows the district operating in the black until 2012.

"We still anticipate being on the ballot in 2009," he said.

The board is scheduled to meet Jan. 9 to discuss ballot options.

cbrooks@thisweeknews.com


Infobox
A closer look

The Worthington Board of Education unanimously approved a three-year contract with the union representing classified employees at a special meeting on Dec. 11.



Copyright 2008 ThisWeek Community Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.