LEAVITTSBURG — The LaBrae Board of Education this week ratified a new three-year contract with the LaBrae Teachers Association that includes a 10% pay increase.

Superintendent Anthony Calderone said the contract is effective Aug. 29, 2026, through August 2029 and includes a 3.5% increase in year one, 3.25% in year two and 3.25% in year three.

Calderone said the new agreement will cost the district $536,443 over three years. He said the teachers also will contribute 11% per year toward their health insurance.

The association, which represents 76 teachers, also ratified the new agreement.

Calderone said negotiations with the union went well.

He said the pay increases help ensure the district is competitive with other districts, which will help with getting new staff and retaining them. Calderone said many districts are facing hiring challenges because fewer individuals are entering the teaching profession compared to 10 or more years ago.

The board also plans to add two new playground areas at Bascom Elementary School

The district is getting playground equipment and labor from Game Time at $278,372.

Calderone said the equipment is being paid for through many donations, including Woodford Excavating, which provided $100,000, AMVETS Post 112 that gave $2,000, and from many community members. He said fundraising was also done.

The board approved the transfer of $5,869 from the general fund to the cafeteria fund to retire the 2025-26 student lunch debt.

Calderone said this is common for many districts and has been done in past years to make sure there is no debt in the fund. He said for the 2026-27 year, all students in the district will receive free breakfast and free lunch based on government eligibility.

The district also will be taking part in the summer food service program offered by the Child Nutrition Division of the Ohio Department of Education with meals provided to local students over the summer.

In other action, the board:

• Recognized art student Rhylin Barker who received a National Gold Key Award and $500 scholarship.

• Hired Lisa Marsco as high school principal’s secretary.

• Approved three-year contracts to John Calderwood as technology operations coordinator, Todd Rowe as middle school principal and Amy Frederick as director of pupil services.

• Approved the transfer of teacher Regan Shanower to eight-grade social studies at the middle school.

• Set a special meeting for 6 p.m. June 24 at the board office for fiscal year-end transactions and employment of personnel.