Euclid City Schools to save $5.2 million over next two years with shared sacrifice by staff

The Euclid City School Board of Education approved negotiated reductions and freezes for teachers, educational assistants, cafeteria staff and technical employees at their Aug. 22 regular meeting. This concludes the district’s effort to reduce the compensation of every employee by three percent, including union, non-union and administrative staff, in response to significant loss of revenue from the state.

The district met the target for all groups to meet a three percent savings in addition to step freezes. Different groups met this with pay reductions, increases in medical contributions and prescription contributions, furlough days and unpaid holidays. On average, employees more than tripled their contributions to medical and prescription plans. In addition to a three percent reduction to employee compensation, the district eliminated step increases for the next two years, bringing the total to three years of step freezes. Administrators also took pay decreases and tripled their contribution to health care.

These reductions will result in $2.6 million in savings each year for a total savings $5.2 million.

The savings allowed the district to reduce the millage amount for their November levy issue. The millage was reduced from 6.9 mills in May to 5.4 mills for November, a 21.7 percent reduction.

“Our teachers, staff and administrators have made a shared sacrifice for the long-term benefit of our district and our community. We appreciate the collective effort our staff have made during these tough economic times. Despite these sacrifices our staff have remained dedicated to providing a quality education for our students and preparing them for the future,” said Superintendent Dr. Joff Jones.