[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6563778,"mediaKeyId","3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80","parentId",3335231,"title","Mentor Board ratifies three‑year teacher contract after divided debate","audioSeconds",800,"startMs",4486000,"endMs",5286000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80&start=4486&end=5286","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80/thumbnail_4486000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6563778/Ohio/Mentor-Board-ratifies-threeyear-teacher-contract-after-divided-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563778-2bf6ca9aa106bc88983179c167b7b5bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994808&Signature=IQWhNE82JRIojom6riytnukVwpX94AtVtzICsEV0H0GWfB5ok-DXzo5sXVr4h2CpdhvGmxuulgs62CfkNjeQTHDvsC-~jmeOOFGSDv8VhSyKUOPvL~c9t--sQv5odrbcSqOWilYGa3AwPCkxusxntb-cpQ4PpKeqStGme35FDWIX0p8mwYdMdtX7uJ5HlGIzr3wZWXXED6glReitda5ig1Ue9l~2kqtKPodiLCGVvxTFq5nBI41EDwxUe4NG4gv~~In4Vse~SM0GkGLYq9BniBiQPUpFUYLPTKY5Y5pu0f~nO15dKXIM1Q3xKG5O9tSeQkVSRB4w7Xo7SNaLRtV0Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mentor Public Schools ","date","2025-05-14T19:06:42Z","article","The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education approved a three‑year negotiated agreement with the Mentor Teachers Association (MTA) in a 3‑2 roll‑call vote on May 13.

Board members who voted to ratify said the tentative agreement includes health‑care concessions and other terms that improve the district’s five‑year forecast. Chief Financial Officer Bill Wade told the board the package would add about $750,000 annually for the 3% salary increases already budgeted but that health‑care concessions and other negotiated changes produce net savings: “About $2,400,000 better than we were projecting in November, because of negotiations with MTA,” Wade said.

The board debated whether to postpone final approval until after the state budget is finalized. Board member Miss Jessling moved to postpone, saying the timing sent “a terribly mixed message” while district leaders were publicly urging residents to contact state lawmakers about school funding. Jessling said, “including this contract on the agenda while at the same time we’re out having a protest ... is negligent.” The motion to postpone failed 2‑3.

After further discussion, the motion to approve the negotiated agreement passed on roll call: Miss Jessling — yes; Miss Marchazza — yes; Miss Aappalo — no; Miss Payne — no; President Cook — yes (motion carries 3‑2). The meeting transcript does not record a single named board member as the formal mover or seconder for the final approval; the superintendent had recommended the agreement on the consent calendar and the board took separate action to ratify it.

Board members who supported immediate ratification said the tentative agreement contains provisions intended to reduce long‑term costs, including spousal coordination of benefits and changes to prescription coverage. Wade described those health‑care changes as providing substantial annual savings and noted an estimated one‑time and ongoing fiscal effect tied to negotiated severance provisions. He also said the district had modeled more conservative (worse‑case) savings so the board could see risk‑adjusted results.

Board members who opposed approving the contract before the state budget argued the district lacked a complete picture of expected revenue and that committing to multi‑year increases without final state funding carried risk. Several members highlighted the district’s ongoing work to manage expenses and the timing of an expected state biennial budget (House Bill 96) now in the senate process.

The ratification means the terms summarized in the tentative agreement will be presented for final implementation with the district’s payroll and human resources processes. The board also approved a related resolution accepting the negotiated agreement (see separate article on the resolution).

The board recorded additional related motions during the same agenda period: a motion to postpone ratification (failed 2‑3) and then the final ratifying vote (approved 3‑2). The approved package includes the 3% annual general increases reflected in the district’s forecast and the health plan concessions that CFO Wade projected would materially improve the district’s forecast compared with November projections.

Looking ahead, district leaders said they will present a May financial update at a special meeting planned for May 29 that will reflect current actuals and the tentative agreement’s impacts.

Note: where the transcript did not name a motion mover or seconder for the final ratification at roll call, this article reports outcomes and attributions exactly as recorded in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mentor Board Of Education May 13, 2025 (Full Meeting)","oneSentenceSummary","The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education approved a three‑year negotiated contract with the Mentor Teachers Association in a divided 3‑2 vote on May 13 after extended debate about timing and financial risk.","taxTitle","Mentor Exempted Village, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",38575,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563769,"Votes at a glance: Mentor board passes contracts, policies and personnel actions",158,3252000,3410000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80&start=3252&end=3410","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80/thumbnail_3252000.jpg","/articles/6563769/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Mentor-board-passes-contracts-policies-and-personnel-actions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563769-9af1c114650886de0af0556aea848ac7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994808&Signature=PizmNzLwUtCUf-~NcQ3bdMMlv~SkTQtkpsCCbbrTZlQR497MEMaxi6KTFx7TIi9bYEx5MLKXsHafLg1Z9KvjU1kWjslFS57xc2H8JtvIdRzVE0LDrYsizTDUCCODV7WPY~TddRlYqWzsSxNBT7Ok4E37uk1enElbl18IkCsfeSni79M667UdPuKh8vgDkdwQoSA7Um6e-ExutaWHEqazJVd-fV81A84tIePZEIBRL6pmyYKEMnMidcoZmvWxqT0kxCX6HMll8y8LaAMUM7M05OJroh5PYsuoHsU00qCjQct00IP67jc8yaHdysnaS558pdx7UrgSEF3ojS5uMLTCNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education approved a package of consent and business items on May 13. Most motions carried unanimously; a small number recorded a single abstention or a split vote where noted.

Key outcomes (motions listed by agenda topic and final recorded tally):

- Consent and business motions (multiple items acted in a single motion): motion carries 5‑0. Approved items included curriculum recommendations (K‑12 art and music, high‑school math and English/journalism), rental agreement with the City of Mentor/Manor, Connecting Ed professional learning contract, NeoNet service provider contract, Securly renewal, HPC Medicaid school program three‑year service agreement, and numerous human resources and certified personnel recommendations.

- Primary Service Agreement — Educational Service Center (EFC of Northeast Ohio): motion carries 4‑0 with 1 abstention (one board member abstained). The board discussed that the district uses multiple ESE providers and that the primary agreement reflects where most services are sourced.

- Additional ESE service agreement (ESE of the Western region): motion carries 5‑0.

- Negotiated agreement with Mentor Teachers Association (MTA), and the related resolution accepting the agreement: discussed and voted separately (see standalone article on contract). Final ratification motion carried 3‑2.

- Reduction in force (agenda item e): approved 5‑0 as recorded at the meeting.

- Administrative hires: the board approved two principal appointments — Anna Pavko as Hopkins Elementary principal and Toni White as Bellflower principal — motion carries 5‑0.

- Neola policy second reading and approvals: a package of Neola policy updates passed (including Policy 12.30 Responsibilities of the Superintendent; Policy 2266 Nondiscrimination — amendment removing certain parenthetical language to align with Ohio Revised Code; Policy 5780.01 Parents' Bill of Rights). The board discussed the Parents' Bill of Rights policy at length, including how supplemental classroom library materials are reviewed and the process for challenges; the policies passed 5‑0.

- Special education model policies and procedures (adoption): motion carries 5‑0. The board heard comments from a special education teacher expressing disappointment that caseload reductions in Ohio remain limited, and the board recorded that the policy will be implemented in compliance with state guidance.

Several contracts and vendor renewals were approved without extended discussion. Where the transcript records roll‑call votes, the motions and tallies are recorded above. One ESE primary service agreement recorded a single abstention; otherwise the items on the consent agenda were handled with unanimous votes or recorded tallies as noted.

For a detailed record of each motion, including exact wording and roll call, refer to the board minutes and the official board packet posted on the district website. The board’s CFO said the district is tracking year‑to‑date revenue and expenses and will deliver a May update; this update will reflect the revenue variances and the financial impact of negotiated labor agreements.","At its May 13 meeting the Mentor board approved multiple consent‑agenda items and policy updates, including service agreements, curriculum recommendations, administrative hires and special education procedures. Most items passed unanimously; a primary ESE service agreement recorded one abstention.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6563774,"Mentor board adopts resolution urging full phase‑in of Fair School Funding, opposes 30% carryover cap",3360,6260000,9620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80&start=6260&end=9620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3335231-75dd4a8ea76954aadb03afbc725e7d80/thumbnail_6260000.jpg","/articles/6563774/Ohio/Mentor-board-adopts-resolution-urging-full-phasein-of-Fair-School-Funding-opposes-30-carryover-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6563774-73a1d30e2bdf228b7830f1a13bc16ed6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994808&Signature=T-5MJGrictjawS8XN5nURWO07h6pfXy8oM3RhYNJBelQljvZgnPQhxgHXKd4E-sI-sbfFKRoW7466IehcYxW0E5VfXsk7MbsbRr2DG-pFd~~0Ez60GgSn4DvhoEcoNE3ZFuBpR-BSpfNoO4fFWkwU0u9XlLayOYLgPltmUATURXW3uCahSL9Gctrj60R57vCjDgwtb6ZwS~YBzKgJXKFN6d89~NC0AVFcOU99kDM4LteNeZ1HEltIdWAq30ZjIqseZHYHglnQmMDfu0vgETIVUogZd7I0RTJWVUhlujjopq7mZ5O2-R8YrwiSmsF1VEzoupmvcAAjjQ2ErsB~pWs6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mentor Exempted Village Board of Education adopted a resolution on May 13 urging the state to fully fund the Fair School Funding Plan and opposing a 30% cap on district fund balances that appears in the proposed biennial budget (House Bill 96).

Board member Miss Marchazza, who introduced the resolution, framed it as an effort to ask lawmakers to honor earlier promises to schools: “The Fair School Funding Plan provides consistency and predictability and stability to all Ohio school districts,” she said during the meeting. She and other supporters said the cap and proposed cuts could immediately reduce Mentor’s revenue and create long‑term uncertainty for levy planning.

The original draft of the resolution included a specific estimated dollar amount of projected underfunding. After discussion, the board removed the numeric figure and kept a factual statement that the proposed budget would underfund the district “compared to what would be provided under a fully funded Fair School Funding Plan.” The change was made by board amendment before the final vote.

During debate, board members and the superintendent emphasized ongoing advocacy efforts. Superintendent Michael Heath and CFO Bill Wade described meetings with state lawmakers and provided the board with fiscal modeling showing how possible state actions could affect the district’s five‑year forecast. Wade also briefed the board on the timing of senate committee work and encouraged community testimony to the senate finance committee.

Public commenters and several board members specifically urged residents to contact State Senator Jerry Serino, the chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and to submit testimony while the bill is still under consideration. The final roll call for the amended resolution was: Miss Marchazza — yes; Miss Jessling — yes; Miss Aappalo — abstain; Miss Payne — abstain; Miss Cook — yes (motion passes 3‑0‑2).

The adopted resolution and related public testimony are intended as a formal statement of the board’s position as the budget moves to the Ohio Senate. Board members said they will continue outreach to legislators and plan public information sessions to explain potential local effects if funding changes are enacted.

This resolution does not change district policy; it records the board’s position and asks state lawmakers to preserve full funding and local control.","The Mentor board voted to adopt a resolution calling for full funding of the Fair School Funding Plan and opposing a proposed 30% district carryover cap. The board amended language removing a specific dollar estimate and approved the resolution 3‑0‑2 (two abstentions).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mentor Board ratifies three‑year teacher contract after divided debate

Votes at a glance: Mentor board passes contracts, policies and personnel actions

Mentor board adopts resolution urging full phase‑in of Fair School Funding, opposes 30% carryover cap