The North Royalton Board of Education recently approved a new contract and compensation plans for non-teaching employees of the North Royalton School District. At the August 13 Board of Education meeting, the Board adopted the negotiated agreement with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) and the compensation plans for the Central Office Professional Staff Association (COPSA), the North Royalton Principals’ Association, and the Central Office Administrators for the period of August 1, 2018, through July 31, 2021. The contract approves a two percent yearly increase for the employees, but with health care concessions.
OAPSE members in the North Royalton district include custodial/maintenance, cafeteria personnel, transportation, secretaries/clerks/aides and technology employees. The three-year contract with the North Royalton OAPSE began on August 1 and extends through July of 2021.
The OAPSE contract follows that of the North Royalton Education Association (NREA) contract, which was approved by the Board of Education at the June 11 monthly meeting. The NREA represents not only teachers, but therapists, counselors and psychologists. The Board then approved their new three-year contract with the NREA, which also was set to begin on August 1, where a two percent yearly increase was approved. The NREA also agreed to health care concessions, which allows the District to help manage healthcare costs.
The two percent increase for the OAPSE and NREA contracts will cost the district $651,000 per year, according to North Royalton School District Treasurer, Biagio Sidoti. The savings for the health care concessions will save the district $687,000.
The Board also approved compensation plans for central office administrators, and employees represented by the Office Professional Staff Association and the North Royalton Principals Association, who will also receive two percent increases annually for the next three years and make healthcare concessions.
“Once again, the North Royalton way is evident in these negotiations,” said North Royalton School Superintendent Greg Gurka, praising the district’s bargaining team and OAPSE for their professionalism, collaboration and willingness to discuss the issues. “Very much like our workings with the NREA, our negotiations with the OAPSE went very well and showed a mutual respect and willingness to work together for the benefit of not only the employees, but our entire District. I want to thank the OAPSE leadership for their commitment to making North Royalton a great place to educate our students.”
“Members of OAPSE are essential to the provision of public education, as they make sure that students are transported to school safely, eat nourishing meals, learn in clean buildings, and ensure that our offices and all District operations support teaching and learning,” said President Susan Clark, North Royalton Board of Education. “On behalf of the Board of Education, I want to thank the negotiating teams for coming to an agreement that is fair and affordable.”
Board member John Kelly commented on the negotiations, saying that the collaboration leads to not just the contract, but a continued willingness to work together.

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer