NORTH BALTIMORE – The school board has inked a new two-year contract with its certified and classified
staff.
The board voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve the contract that will give all union employees a 1.75-percent
raise each of the two years of the agreement, which starts July 1.
The North Baltimore Education Association represents the approximately 80 certified and classified staff
members in the district.
Misty Schinsky, union president, said after the meeting the union was "overwhelmingly in support of
ratifying."
Union members met Monday to vote. Schinsky said about 50 members voted.
"We’re very pleased with a two-year contract," she said.
The two sides initiated talks in January.
A change in the health insurance plan will save money for both the district and members, she continued.

Union members will pay a lower monthly fee for a higher deductible.
Also at the meeting, the board agreed to give a three-year contract extension to Dr. Robert Falkenstein,
middle school/high school principal, with a base salary of $81,757.
The vote was 4-1, with Cheryl Cotterman voting no.
"At this time there are too many shortcomings to issue a three-year contract," Cotterman said
before the vote.
She declined after the meeting to verbalize any of those shortcomings.
John Kelley, representing Kelly Chevrolet Buick, attended the meeting to ask why the board was planning
to accept a lower bid than what his family offered for the four-plus acres on South Second Street where
the former middle/school high school used to stand.
The $68,000 bid from Charlie Kelley was the highest of three bidders at a sale held in February 2013.
The board had the property appraised at $40,000, but wanted no less than $159,000, according to
Superintendent Marlene North.
The other bidders were village resident Doug Wickard and Reineke Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
The board approved an offer, 3-2, Tuesday from Reineke for $50,000 for half of the lot.
Cotterman and board member Jaimye Bushey voted no.
Kelley said he was never approached with an offer to buy a portion of the land. He also questioned the
validity of the auction and subsequent vote against all bids. Board member Russell Bretz led the auction
and then voted on whether to accept the bids.
The board had no comment.
Cotterman asked Kelley his initial intent for the land. He said a short-term idea was a volleyball or
soccer field, and possibly condominiums in the long term.