Homecoming Queen Court 2005

Congratulations to the five young ladies who are candidates for the title of OHS 2005 Homecoming Queen. Pictured, left to right are, first row: Mary Kendig, Emily Spurlin and Kristina Galaska; second row: Leah Henninger and Emma Jandel.

Teachers OK three-year $45 million contract

By Lance Winkler

After seven months of negotiations and rejection of a two-year tentative agreement in September, the Oakwood Teachers Association voted 110-26 to accept a three-year contract with a budget totaling $45 million. In addition to being a three-year agreement, there are some innovative additions to Oakwood teacher’s health insurance that previously had never been offered or included.

“We thought it would be good for the district to get a three-year contract,” said Superintendent Dr. Mary Jo Scalzo. The contract will expire in the spring of 2008 and Dr. Scalzo explained that a new school levy will already have been voted on by Oakwood citizens. The success or failure of the levy will allow Oakwood school officials to assess what they will have to work with in terms of budgetary matters and will allow them to negotiate from a position of knowledge and certainty, Dr. Scalzo explained.

“This new contract allows us to move forward,” said Board President Beth Merritt. “On behalf of the Board, I extend sincere appreciation to our teachers and administrators for working through the process. We also thank the community members who provided us with input. We are all looking forward to continuing our collective efforts in the best interests of our students.”  

The contract offers a zero percent raise on-the-base plus a one percent non-recurring payment for the 2005-06 school year, which translates into every teacher seeing a two percent pay increase over last year.

For the 2006-07 school year, there is a one percent on-the-base raise with step additions remaining static. The 2007-08 school year will offer a 2.5 percent on-the-base raise.

Two new components to the health insurance package includes a Sick Leave Bank. Each teacher is given 15 days sick leave a year which grows cumulatively each year. Through the Sick Leave Bank, teachers have the opportunity to donate a sick leave day to teachers who may need more sick leave due to catastrophic illness or other compelling reason.

Another component is a mail order prescription plan that allows for three months worth of prescription medicine for two month’s cost. Additionally, teachers are also given 90 visits per year for speech, physical and occupational therapy.

The education of Oakwood students is our first priority; that is why we teach,” said OTA President Chris Murphy. “The teachers were uplifted during the negotiation process by the support from our community. Although there is dissatisfaction with the salary provisions of this new contract, we appreciate the language changes that were made following the rejection of the first tentative agreement. We are relieved to be able to return our focus to our students.”

Public Works Center to be named after former city manager Foell

By Jasmine Boaler

The Oakwood City Council met on Monday, Oct. 10 in the council chambers. Mayor Judy Cook announced the month of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She stated that there are 40,412 new deaths every year due to breast cancer. Oct. 21 is National Mammography Day and Mayor Cook encouraged women 40 and over to consult with a doctor for early detection of the disease.

The Miami Valley Communication Council’s previous executive director, Kent Bristol, was honored at the council session. Bristol has provided information through public services, cable castings of council meetings, and participated in public service programs for the city of Oakwood. The Communication Council’s interim director, Glen Alexander, will manage all affairs in Oakwood for the next six months. He has previously served 43 years in local government. He will manage budget cuts for the council and will be the Time Warner administrator for small strategic workshops until the council finds a new executive director.

There will be a Potluck Supper sponsored by the Oakwood Historical Society, 15 E. Thruston Blvd. on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior. The public is invited. The Founders day banquet will be held on Nov. 17 at the Dayton Country Club. The Walking Tour event will provide citizens with an architectural showing of the historic sites in the city of Oakwood. In order to become a member, citizens can call 293-9747 and be placed on the mailing list.

A modification of the Property Maintenance Code was passed that requires the presence of garage doors for the security and safety of Oakwood residents. It states: “All garages, including those attached to the principal structure, shall have operating overhead or horizontal doors to provide security for the property within and in the case of attached garages, for the occupants of the principal structure.” Oakwood residents will be provided with a letter advising the new legislation and encourages compliance with the new code.

The Oakwood City Council acknowledged the contributions and years of service that the late J. David Foell gave to the city of Oakwood as city manager and are naming the Public Works Center at 210 Shafor Boulevard in his honor. His dedication to the city will be recognized on Friday, Oct. 28 at the Public Works Center from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Director of Engineering and Public Works Kevin Weaver announced that the Water Meter Replacement project is still ongoing and 2,950 meters and transmitters (75 percent) have been installed. Leaf season will start on Oct. 17 and Oakwood residents are asked to place the leaves on the sidewalks.

The next Oakwood City Council meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 7, 2005.

Soccer Jacks second in S.W.B.L.

Oakwood 7, Preble Shawnee 1

The Oakwood boy’s varsity soccer team traveled to Preble Shawnee Thursday, Oct. 6, for their final S.W.B.L. match of the 2005 season and claimed second place in that division. The Jacks smashed through their recent scoring plague (numerous shots but few goals), tallying 7 goals in 30 shots.

Team-scoring leader junior forward Scott Casebere started Oakwood off on the right foot at 5:49 when he collected a cross from junior midfielder Matt Vail and rifled it into the far post crossbar, the ball careened down and into the goal. Preble Shawnee player Messer tied up the score at 13:39 following a quick throw-in which the Jacks were not able to clear out of the penalty area.    

The Jacks stormed back and junior defender Josh Curley, while on his way to the goal, was fouled in the Arrows’ penalty area two minutes later. Oakwood’s penalty shot sharpshooter, senior captain midfielder Stephen Kallenberg, made Preble Shawnee pay for this infraction at the 15: 26 mark.

Oakwood’s Vail scored at 20:23 when he redirected a corner kick (by junior midfielder Bob Fecher) with his chest into the far post. The final Oakwood goal of the first half was by Kallenberg off a cross by Casebere. Oakwood shot 18 times and Preble Shawnee managed 4 shots.

The Jacks continued with renewed vigor for the second half. Senior midfielder Joey Payne nicely collected an errant Arrow defender’s pass 20 yards out and quickly lofted a shot into the far upper right corner. Five minutes later (9:26), Casebere took a pass from Curley and sent the ball into the far post.

Oakwood junior midfielder John Loftus claimed his first varsity goal following a pass from Kallenberg. Loftus arched the ball from 25 yards out, between the outstretched goalie’s reach and crossbar at 24:30.

Oakwood kept the pressure on for the remainder of the game with substitutes senior forward Ian Peterson, senior midfielder Chris Stephanopoulos, senior forward Nick Wuebker, and senior keeper Jonathan Green (played forward for part of this half).

Junior keeper Colin Pierce minded the Oakwood goal for the second half and made three nice saves. The Jacks outshot the Arrows 12 to 6 for the second half. Oakwood advanced to 9-3-3 (6-2-2).

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