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Board ratifies teacher contract, food-service and curriculum contracts; officials cite schedule changes and estimated $1 million bus savings
Summary
The board approved multiple contracts and tentative labor agreements — including a two-year tentative agreement with the teachers association that standardizes a seven-hour workday and a 6-hour-45-minute student day — and district officials said consolidating bell schedules could yield about $1 million in bus savings next year.
The Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools Board on May 11 approved a package of contracts and tentative labor agreements, including a ratification of a two-year tentative agreement with the teachers association and a tentative agreement with OPC Local 159 representing food-service employees. Each motion passed by recorded roll-call vote, 5-0.
District leaders described key elements of the teachers' tentative agreement: a standard seven-hour workday for staff, a standard student day of 6 hours and 45 minutes across campuses, alignment of schedules that will allow the district to reduce bus bell tiers from five to two and operationalize efficiencies. Superintendent Dr. Patrick Ward said those schedule changes will yield "over 7,000 additional minutes or 100 hours of instructional time in elementary school next year," which the district equated to about 11 additional kindergarten-through-fifth-grade school days. Finance staff said final cost figures are still being computed.
Treasurer Mr. Turnell reported that, as part of route and schedule changes, the district is "looking at around a million dollars in savings for next year" from busing efficiencies, though staff said they are still working with the district's transportation contractor to finalize student placements and exact savings. Separately, the treasurer reported the food-service program (universal free breakfast and lunch) has produced a 35% increase in meals served and is projecting a fund loss of roughly $350,000 this fiscal year (the food-service fund was said to hold about $2.2 million).
The board also approved a set of contract items (each by 5-0 vote): a contract with the Fine Arts Association for music and art therapy during the summer extended year (9A); a five-year Amplify ELA curriculum for grades 7–8 (9B); professional design services with GPD Group for a Royal View renovation project (9C); and a food-service agreement for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 (9D). Board members also approved routine minutes, personnel and consent calendar items.
Why it matters: The teachers' agreement includes operational changes that district leaders say will increase instructional time and lower transportation costs. Those projected savings are estimates contingent on final routing and contractor calculations; the board approved the contracts and will implement the schedule changes in the 2026–27 school year.
The board's formal recorded votes on the package of items were unanimous (5-0) during the May 11 meeting.
