Dayton Public Schools employees picket the Board of Education for changes to pay

For 35 years, employees at Dayton Public Schools have been able to count on one thing for certain – when they would get paid. Now the story is not so clear after actions from the board unilaterally changed how paychecks are administered.  

To protest these changes and the confusion they have caused, members from AFSCME Local 101 and OAPSE Local 4 packed the overflowing board room during their July public meeting. 

“At the end of the day, it’s disrespectful to treat your employees like this, especially when many of us have shown up for decades making Dayton Public Schools something we can be proud of as a community,” said Tracey Mays, a head custodian at the International School at Residence Park in the school district. 

The meeting also revealed confusion on the board and DPS administration’s part, with conflicting reports of when the paychecks would be distributed and different payroll calendars being sent to the workers by payroll personnel. AFSCME members demanded transparency, clarity and accountability around these timelines at the meeting.  

“We deserve fair pay for our work that we can count on. We’ve got families to feed and kids to put in school too. The board’s decisions here are a slap in the face,” Mays continued.  

Currently AFSCME Local 101 and OAPSE members await the board’s response on how they will fix this situation and ensure that Dayton Public Schools employees are paid correctly, fairly and on time.  

AFSCME Ohio Council 8 represents over 31,000 public service workers across Ohio in both the public and private sectors in municipal and county government, public schools and universities, cultural institutions and health care facilities providing critical services to Ohioans very day. Learn more at afscmecouncil8.org.