Posen support staff contract ratified

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Members of the Posen Consolidated Schools support staff, which includes bus drivers, custodians, cooks and secretaries, have a new contract. Final ratification came with a vote of the school board Monday evening, following a 14-minute executive session. Board members cast unanimous votes for a one percent increase for each of two years. The recommendation was made by superintendent Dru Milliron and the support staff negotiating committee.

New to the contract is the option of accepting a single subscriber rate as an annuity, if the employee is receiving health benefits from their spouse?s employer. Also part of the new contract will be the addition of a housekeeper position to take the place of the evening custodian, said Milliron. Laurie Krajniak was hired to fill the position and her recess aide position has been posted.

Board president Ken Wozniak said there also was some minor language changes. There are nine members of the support staff, who had ratified the deal prior to the meeting. The contract is retroactive to July 1. The committee met with union representatives three times before both sides came to an agreement.

IN OTHER business: – The superintendent reported on student numbers and said there were 39 gains and 13 losses for a net of 26. The student count has shot up from 241 to 263. The state will be conducting their first official count of the school year (Sept. 29). ?Our new students seem to be assimilating very well into our school,? said Milliron. ?They all seem to be smiling and happy with the new situation.? Most of the numbers have come from the closing of Long Rapids Elementary in Alpena County. With the increase in students, Laurie Zielaskowski has been elevated from part-time special

education to full-time to assist other students with general education studies.

– Milliron said the homecoming dance is Oct. 2, with the crowning of the queen at 9 p.m. – The technology plan has been updated and will be posted on the school?s Web site. – The board officially made the hirings of sixth- and fifth-grade teachers Courtney Gagnon (Gon-ya) and Mary Lightner. ?Best of luck ? hopefully this is the beginning of a long-term relationship with our school,? said Wozniak. – Wozniak congratulated board member Jesse Chappa and his wife Rachel on the birth of their baby girl.

– The Parent Teacher Organization made a donation of $1,000. They asked that $500 be designated for a new Viper floor scrubber and the other be used for advertising. – The board authorized an additional hour to cook Rita Donajkowski?s schedule. – The hot lunch committee is going to look at food portions. Board member Steve Donajkowski questioned whether the students are getting enough on their trays. ?I would like to see us add a little,? he said. Head cook Mary Ann Zakshesky said the board would have to authorize the purchase of more food. The committee, which consists of Connie Miller and Mitch Mulka, will be working with Zakshesky.

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