Columbus City Schools Board last night officially wrapped up contracts with the new superintendent and the 3,2000-member union that represents secretaries, bus drivers and other support staff, before turning attention to the long-delayed levy ahead.
The board unanimously approved the the contract with Dr. Angela Chapman, the district's newest superintendent. Chapman's $26,500 salary is slightly more than former's super Talisa Dixon's last. The district will pay Chapman's contribution to the State Teachers Retirement System and cover her portion of Medicaid (?) contributions, as well as a minimum monthly contribution of $800 to a tax sheltered annuity. Chapman will receive life insurance coverage double her salary, as did Dixon.
Like Dixon, Chapman will receive 35 days vacation time, but unlike her predecessor, Chapman will be able to cash out up to 10 days of unused time. And for the first time, the superintendent's contract contains a residency clause, requiring Chapman to live in Columbus.
The board last night also celebrated signing a new contract with CSEA, the union that represents support staff for the district. The contract includes a 4% increase in each of the next two school years, and runs through June, 2026. Union members will also get two $500 recruitment and retention bonuses, to be paid this December and June, 2024. he previous contract was slated to expire at the end of July, but talks went smoothly. CSEA president Lois Carson says - once begun - talks took only four days to complete, unlike talks with the teachers union, which took months, capped by a three-day strike before and agreement was struck.
The board is moving ahead with plans for a levy in the fall. The 7.7 mil request is the same size as the levy that was supposed to go before voters in 2022's general election. But that was pulled at the last minute, as the recession appeared to intensify, prices continued to rise, and people continued to struggle with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Internally, the property tax levy would be split, with three mills covering operating expenses, and the remaining 4.7 mills paying for maintenance of the district's more than 100 school buildings. The plan was approved unanimously, and will now go to Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano to be certified. The school board would then vote on whether to place the levy on the Nov. 7 ballot. The levy will cost the owner of a $100,000 home nearly $270 dollars per year.
