Grady Beverly was selected as the West Branch School District’s honored student for April. Early Learning Center Principal Kylie Baker said that Grady is a leader within his school and a model both for academic performance and behavior within the classroom. Grady was presented with a commemorative certificate and a gift card for Dunkin Donuts. (Photo by Morgan Ahart)

BELOIT — The West Branch school board approved a new contract with the West Branch Education Association (WBEA) in its meeting Monday.

The board of education voted unanimously to approve a tentative agreement with the WBEA for the 2026-2027, 2027-2028 and 2028-2029 contract years. Treasurer Adam Fisher said that the contract will see teachers receive a 4% salary increase in the agreement’s first two years, and a 2.5% increase in the third. However, they will also see a 1.5% increase in their insurance premiums from 12.5% to 14%.

Superintendent Matt Manley said the contract also includes a reduction in the number of teachers which can be out on personal leave in the district in a single day. He explained that under the previous agreement as many as 13 people could be off on any given day, and under the new contract that cap was reduced to seven.

“That was a compromise to make sure we had enough people to ensure the buildings were staffed,” said Manley.

That wasn’t the only attendance change under the new contract. Manley said that the attendance incentive had been significantly scaled back, with that money instead being added

to teachers’ base salaries. He explained that the change allowed the district to give teachers a higher pay increase than initially expected and ensure that all were being taken care of.

“The main idea was to make the base rate the best we can for all of our teachers,” said Manley.

Both Manley and WBEA President Candy Rockwell described the three-day negotiation process as collaborative and rooted in mutual respect and commended the bargaining units of their counterpart.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our staff. We disagreed at times, but we always disagreed professionally and had civil conversations. There is a shared respect for each other and that is a strong sign for the future of our district,” said Manley.

The board also approved several personnel and administrative items.

Personnel items approved included: the retirements of custodian Lonnie Wutrick and counselor Ken Harris effective July 1; the retire rehire of Lynn Moore, Diane Uyselt, Barb Smith, Mona McNeely, Bob Shepherd and Denise Ginocchi; a three-year contract for Assistant Athletic Director Michael Ginocchi; the hire of Phil Walter and Gerry Brain; the hire of teachers Jacob Foltz, Dion Franket, Molly Hopple, and Intervention Specialist Clayton Adams; a supplemental for Walt DeShields as 2026-2027 head girls basketball coach; and the resignation of teacher Jaclyn Kornick for personal reasons, effective at the end of business on June 1, 2026.

Administrative items approved included: approval of Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company as the student insurance provider for the 2026-2027 school year; an agreement with the Education Service Center of Eastern Ohio for Career Counseling Services for the 2026-27 school year; contract with Frontline Technologies Group LLC at a cost of $17,573.25; an agreement with HWS Best Health Consulting for mental health services during the 2026-2027 school year; and an agreement with the Mahoning Valley Community School as an alternative school for West Branch students for the 2025-26 school year.

The board of education will meet next at 6 p.m. on May 18.