Columbus teachers and other staff voted overwhelmingly to approve a three-year contract that will give them 2.25% raises in the first year.
Members of the Columbus Education Association voted Thursday night at the Columbus Convention Center.
Wage negotiations will continue for the second and third years of the contract.
The agreement also includes caseload language for special education and English-language learners, school safety improvements and continuation of a community campus school pilot program at Northland High School.
The Columbus Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the contract Tuesday evening.
"We are encouraged to hear CEA members voted overwhelmingly to ratify a new three-year contract," schools spokesman Mike De Fabbo said in a statement. School starts on Monday, Aug. 25.
Columbus Education Association President John Coneglio said Friday that more than 80% of members voted to approve the contract.
But he was disappointed that the raise couldn't have been more.
Coneglio said mentioned the vote happened with the school district facing a $50-million deficit.
He also mentioned federal and state budget cuts to public education and a push at the state level for a constitutional amendment to eliminate property taxes.
"The state has decided to prioritize stadiums for billionaires over kids," Coneglio said, referring to the $600 million grant in unclaimed funds to the owners of the Cleveland Browns in the state budget.
The current three-year contract expiring this month included 4% percent raises in each year of the pact.
In August 2022, teachers struck for three days before reaching terms on a contract.
The CEA represents more than 4,500 teachers, librarians, nurses, psychologists and other professionals.
