“We’re extremely pleased we were on an expedited negotiation schedule which started March 23 and came to an agreement April 8.”

Elyria City School Board and Elyria Education Association approved this week a three-year contract.

Director of Human Resources Gary Taylor said negotiations started March 23 and completed April 8.

“We’re very pleased to report that (April 11), Elyria Education Association ratified a contract,” Taylor said. “This morning, our board of education also approved the contract for three years beginning Aug. 1 through July 31, 2020.

“It includes a key monetary piece on wages with a two percent base wage increase for each year of the agreement, and a resumption of longevity steps.”

Taylor said in five of the last six years, longevity steps were frozen.

“We resume steps where they are,” he said. “It’s not retroactive.”

The agreement includes a $750 lump sum payment, payable by May 31, to seal the package, Taylor said.

“We recognize sacrifices made by staff over the last two contract periods,” he said. “We’re extremely pleased we were on an expedited negotiation schedule which started March 23 and came to an agreement April 8.”

Amy Higgins, director of communications at Elyria City Schools, said the district is excited to share the news.

The district hopes to now focus on an extensive building project, Higgins said.

According to a news release from the Elyria Education Taylor Association, the new agreement is a fiscally responsible agreement that is fair to the voters of the community and the board of education, as well as to the teachers.

On April 11 when the union members voted, the outcome was to approve the contract. However, one union member protested the vote, according to the news release.

But following the Ohio Education Association Elections Manual, a new vote is not needed because the issue under protest does not directly impact the outcome of the election, according to the release.

Both sides worked hard and committed themselves to the process, Taylor said.