The Beachwood Federation of Teachers (BFT) and Beachwood Board of Education are now operating under a new contract, effective Sept. 1, 2022, until Aug. 31, 2025. 

BFT President Pam Crossman played an instrumental role in the negotiation and collaborative process between Beachwood teachers and the administration over the summer. 

“A lot of it is being creative, thinking outside the box, collaborating, trying to anticipate potential issues and thwart them before they become issues,” Crossman said. “[We try to work] together to make everything as seamless as possible.”

Superintendent Dr. Bob Hardis of the Beachwood City School District Administration shared similar thoughts on the process. 

“These negotiations were collaborative and professional,” Hardis wrote in an email. “Our communications are honest and direct, but always with resolution in mind.” 

The contract includes a 2% raise per year for the school years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. It then increases to a 2.25% raise for the year 2024-2025. 

Teacher pay is determined by longevity and education level.

2022-23 salary schedules range from $47,754 for teachers for a new teacher on Schedule D (hired 2019 or after) with a Bachelor’s degree to $121,009 for a teacher on Schedule A (hired prior to 1993) with 15 or more years of experience and a Master’s degree plus 60 or more graduate credits.

“Beachwood’s teacher salaries over the next three years will maintain the district as one of the highest paying in the state of Ohio,” Hardis said.

As with previous contracts, this contract also allows eligible bargaining unit members to move up on the salary schedule for longevity with the district or for completing graduate credits. 

Staff members on Schedule D are now eligible for tuition reimbursements up to $1,000 annually. 

The new contract also allows more opportunities for collaboration among certified staff including Friday morning meetings at the high school to analyze student data and discuss best practices, increased planning time at elementary schools, clarifying rules for voluntary and involuntary transfers and for funeral leave, and an added provision for assault leave.

Hardis stresses the importance of detail and mindfulness during the negotiation process. 

“Detail is important with contracts because if something is left up to interpretation instead of being clearly delineated, it can lead to unforeseen conflict in the future,” he wrote.

One of the many modest changes made in the new contract was regarding healthcare. According to Hardis, the change in BFT members’ healthcare plans entails higher copays for prescription drugs and a move to a national formulary for rare, high cost medications. 

“Healthcare is very important to everyone; Beachwood’s teachers are no exception,” Hardis wrote.

There are increases in the prescription drug insurance plans. An example is the copays increasing for preferred medications from $40 for a 30-day supply to $50; mail order prescriptions copays are increasing from $100 for a 90-day supply to $125. 

“This process was very unique because we had a lot of the same goals as the administration,” Crossman said.“It was just about crafting language that works for both sides.”   

One noteworthy new section added to the contract was under Article 25: Non-Traditional Learning Venues. It calls for the use of remote learning under specific circumstances, such as when school is closed for prolonged periods of time. 

The collaborative process is long and taxing, according to Crossman. Teachers on the bargaining team begin to prepare up to six months before the official contract negotiations with the administration. 

“We have to work a lot on relationship building with the administration, so it’s not an us-versus-them type of situation,” she said.

Crossman feels that the results have been positive for both sides. 

“I think we have the best staff ever,” she said. “I’m in the company of wildly talented educators.” 

Hardis also feels pride in the Beachwood community and its achievements.

“Our teachers’ union and the district enjoy a long and productive relationship,” he wrote.

Both Crossman and Hardis express gratitude towards the Beachwood community and its support. 

“We have a community that supports its schools, so that’s huge,” Crossman said. “We have teachers that are valued, and administrations that are supportive. When putting that together, [Beachwood] is a great place to work, learn and live.” 

“We don’t take for granted the amazing support we have from the citizens of Beachwood,” Hardis wrote. “That makes our negotiations and ongoing work with one another focused on keeping Beachwood Schools a top-performing district.”