Southern Local OKs OAPSE pact, adopts retirement tax-deferral plan
Three-year deal grants raises and brings classroom behavioral specialists into the bargaining unit; new 403(b) program defers unused sick and vacation payouts to ease tax burdens, officials say.
The Southern Local Board of Education approved its latest agreement with the Ohio Association of Public School Employees and passed a resolution to benefit retiring employees during its Sept. 9 meeting at Southern Local High School.
Board members approved a negotiated agreement with OAPSE Chapter No. 287, which impacts about 50 classified employees. Superintendent Tom Cunningham said the changes included annual raises over the next three years and the addition of classroom behavioral specialists, who were previously contracted through the Jefferson County Educational Service Center, to the bargaining unit.
“I believe this is a fair deal for both the school district and OAPSE employees,” District Treasurer Greg Sabbato said. “We worked hard to give everyone the best agreement possible.”
The board also approved a resolution establishing a tax deferral program known as the Southern Local School District Retirement Plan. Under the plan, administrators and classified staff receive pay upon retirement, and a special employer nonelective contribution will defer unused sick and vacation days for certain eligible employees. Contributions will be made after the employee retires.
Sabbato said the plan helps reduce retirees’ tax burdens. “When employees retire, they receive severance packages that include payment for unused sick or vacation days,” he said. “By placing those funds into a 403(b) account, retirees gain tax advantages and more flexibility in deciding how to use the money. It’s a non-pension payout, so it won’t impact their pension benefits at all.”
Personnel matters
The board approved a number of personnel changes for the 2025–26 school year:
— Substitutes: teachers Tiffany McDevitt, John Bryan and Cameren Grodhaus; teacher and paraprofessional Emily McCaulley; paraprofessional and secretary Tina Smith; and custodian, cafeteria worker and secretary Amber Engle.
— Volunteer and supplemental positions: Gary Bowling as volunteer drumline instructor and Jesse Liggitt as assistant band director; Brian Spahlinger and Cameren Grodhaus as assistant football coaches.
— Contracts: a one-year teaching contract for Brian Eastham as intervention specialist at Southern Local Jr./Sr. High; one-year contracts for bus driver Mikaela Bentley and cafeteria workers Diane Callehan and Brittany Homewood; one-year limited contracts for paraprofessionals Tiffany McDevitt and Diane Meister and bus mechanic helper/bus driver Leonard McKenzie.
— Resignations: cafeteria worker Brenda Stewart and paraprofessional Sue Grace.
— Virtual Learning Academy stipends: Shannon Rodgers, Gerard Grimm, Todd Walters, Lisa Houck, Kathy Randolph, Alyssa Lockhart and Nikki Lewis.
— VLA grading positions for the Indiana Academy online school: Alyssa Lockhart, Tiffany Scheel, Shannon Rodgers, Gerard Grimm, Amanda Wrobleski, Todd Walters, George Whittaker and Brenda Kekel.
— Classroom behavioral specialists: Jessica Buzzard, Jackie Giovenco, Rachael Hopper, Brenda McCulley, Kya McCulley, Scott McNeil, Kristen Smith, Kristina Sosack, Amanda Vernon, Dawn Spooner, Kristen Walter, Richard Haught and Brittany Crow.
— Physical education teacher Eric Sampson resigned and was named online administrator for the Indian Academy. A full-time substitute will cover the position until a permanent replacement is selected.
Other action
In other business, the board:
— Approved permanent appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026.
— Heard from Cunningham that school began on a positive note. A curriculum council meeting will be set in October to discuss improvements. He said enrollment has been rising and encouraged early applications to help with scheduling. Sabbato noted elementary classes have grown for the first time in years.
— Learned a new plow truck is onsite for winter, preventive maintenance was completed on the boiler system, and several rooftop cooling units will be replaced in October.
— Approved annual membership with the Family and Children First Council.
— Accepted a cost quote from Arrow Electric Inc. to replace the existing Simplex fire panel.
— Set the next regular meeting for Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at the SLHS Media Center.
