The Dayton teachers union voted Thursday night to approve a new contract with Dayton Public Schools. The vote put an end to a tumultuous months-long negotiations process and prevented a planned teacher strike ahead of the new school year.
Hundreds of DEA members met Thursday night to ratify the contract deal at the Marriott Hotel in Dayton.
DPS teacher Rachel Horowitz says she was relieved when she learned an agreeement had been reached between the union and the district.
She’s excited to return to school on Tuesday.
“I didn’t want a scab in my position, I didn’t want a substitute. I wanted to be there to greet my students. It had nothing to do with us not wanting to be in the classroom,” she says.
Union members also okayed a vote of no-confidence in superintendent Rhonda Corr and the Dayton School Board. A union spokesperson has said many teachers felt disrespected by the district during the negotiations process. In a statement, Corr said she was dissappointed by the no-confidence vote, but looking forward to moving on.
The union has been in contract talks with the district since January. The two parties came to a tentative agreement early Thursday morning. The new two-year contract includes salary raises and vision insurance for teachers.
The Board is set to ratify the contract on August 15, which is also the first day of school.