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Teachers at Three Cleveland Charter Schools Ratify New Union Contract

Cleveland, OH —Teachers at three Cleveland charter schools in the ACCEL Schools chain ratified a new three year contract today. The contract limits class sizes to 30 students, reduces the number of instructional and non-instructional days in the school year, and guarantees wage increases. 

Ohio’s Biennial Budget Results in Missed Opportunities for Students and Communities

OFT President Melissa Cropper released the following statement on Ohio’s biennial operating budget, HB 166, that was signed by Governor DeWine today:

The budget that was signed today is marked by missed opportunities to fix our broken and unconstitutional school funding formula, to close reckless tax loopholes, and to end school takeovers that disenfranchise local communities.

Our members have been calling for increased funding for wraparound services in our public schools for years, and we appreciate that Governor DeWine and the legislature made that a priority in this year’s budget with $675 million in additional spending. However, our school districts still need a fair and equitable formula that allows them to know what their funding levels will be so they can make the investments needed in their districts. We look forward to the continuing work that Representatives Cupp and Patterson are doing to fund our future with a new school funding formula.

OFT President Melissa Cropper: Legislature Should Stop Using Budget to Pass Policy

“The policies that shape education for Ohio’s children are too important to be rushed through as add-ons to the state budget, especially when there is so little support for those policies that they have been unable to advance out of committee, as is the case with the Senate’s expansion of EdChoice vouchers,” said Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper.

Ohio Federation of Teachers Responds to House Budget Bill

"The budget that was passed today by the state house begins to move us in the right direction with the largest increase in funding for Ohio’s traditional K-12 public schools in more than a decade, a $675 million investment, and with additional funding for foster care and higher education."

OFT Statement on Cupp-Patterson School Funding Formula

“Our current school funding formula is deeply flawed and unconstitutional in its reliance on property taxes. The new funding formula that Representatives Cupp and Patterson released today is a step in the right direction because it focuses on what our students need to succeed and excel."

Teachers and Intervention Specialists at Summit Academy Painesville Vote for Union Recognition

Painesville, OH – Teachers, intervention specialists, and instructional assistants at Summit Academy Community School – Painesville voted overwhelmingly for union recognition today. They are the seventh charter school in northeast Ohio and the second school operated by Summit Academy Management to join the Cleveland Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (Cleveland ACTS) local, which is affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Summit Academy Parma Teachers Ratify First Contract

Parma, OH — Teachers and intervention specialists at Summit Academy in Parma voted overwhelmingly to ratify their first union contract today, following a nine day strike. The contract includes gains for student learning conditions, including language on class size and staffing. Union members will have a strengthened voice through a Labor-Management Committee and a binding grievance and arbitration process. The contract does not include any economic gains for teachers, but there will be an economic re-opener in the fall after the school’s enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year is set.

Teachers and Intervention Specialists at Summit Academy Painesville File for Union Recognition

Painesville, OH – Teachers, intervention specialists, and instructional aides at Summit Academy Community School – Painesville filed a petition for union recognition today. They are organizing to join the Cleveland Alliance of Charter Teachers and Staff (Cleveland ACTS) local, affiliated with the Ohio Federation of Teachers and American Federation of Teachers. They also delivered a copy of their petition to their principal at the end of the workday.