Sandra Wheeler, who held the position of State Secretary in our union for 32 years, has retired effective December 31, 2023. Sandy held numerous local and OAPSE Northwest Central District positions over a long career as a secretary with the Lima City Schools.

OAPSE State President Lois Carson spoke of Sandy’s contributions to OAPSE and her role as a leader on the union’s State Executive Board. “Those of us who had the privilege of working with Sandy will always be grateful for the professionalism, warmth and intelligence she brought to this critical role in our leadership team. Sandy not only maintained outstanding records of our union’s meetings, but also contributed genuine wisdom to our deliberations at the Executive Board. She also made every OAPSE member she met feel valued and appreciated.”

OAPSE Executive Director Joe Rugola talked about his relationship with Sandy. “For more than 30 years of my administration I was privileged to share our leadership table with Sandy. She helped us steer our union through challenge after challenge, all the while keeping flawless records of our Executive Board meetings and Conferences. More than that though, I will be forever grateful to Sandy for the gracious, generous, and caring nature she showed to all of us. Her friendship and support are a treasure to all of us who were lucky enough to know her.”

Sandy will be enjoying her well deserved retirement with her husband, Ivan Wheeler, and all of her children and grandchildren at her home in Lima.

We all join in wishing Sandy the best of life for many years to come.

OAPSE is pleased to announce a partnership with Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C). OAPSE members, their children, and their grandchildren are able to take advantage of this member ONLY benefit now!

Tri-C will be offering exclusive discounts to OAPSE members and their families, on top of federal and state grants, and merit-based, needs-based, and program-based scholarships. All of this will make Tri-C out of pocket costs for OAPSE members and their families the lowest in the state, and potentially free for some union members.

Tri-C offers more than 1,000 courses, in over 200 career and technical programs, and all courses are eligible for the exclusive OAPSE member discount. Classes are offered online, in-person and in hybrid formats to fit your lifestyle.

In an effort to make tuition as affordable as possible, Tri-C will be offering payment plans for out-of-pocket costs spread out over the entire semester. For OAPSE members with tuition reimbursement in their contract, Tri-C will also be offering a deferred billing option. This deferred billing option would allow your employer to pay their portion of tuition directly to Tri-C upon course completion, allowing OAPSE members more tuition flexibility than ever before.

For more information and to start the free application process, click here: OAPSE/Tri-C Partnership

Spring courses start January 16th at Tri-C and limited space is available, so start the process today!

Tri-C will be holding a virtual meeting for OAPSE members who would like information on the application process, the enrollment process, or additional info on the program. The virtual meeting will take place on December 12th @ 6pm. Email [email protected] to register.

*Eligible family members are limited to children, grandchildren, and dependents of OAPSE members at the moment.

Printable Program Flyer: OAPSE-at-Tri-C-Flyer.pdf

As most of you are aware, two weeks ago a tragic accident occurred involving students, staff, and parents of Tuscarawas Valley Local School District. As the community and school district work through this tragedy, there are now ways to donate to those who were affected.

In support of Tusky Valley and OAPSE Local 634, which represents classified staff in the school district, OAPSE’s State Officers and Executive Board sent a donation on behalf of all OAPSE members in memory of those who were lost.

If you would like to make a donation to those affected, please use the link below.

https://www.trojanfoundation.org/donate

Pam Thomas of OAPSE’s Coshocton City Schools Local 387, is an Attendance Secretary at the High School, but there’s so much more to Pam’s story. She started as a part-time cook for Coshocton City Schools back in the mid ‘80s, almost 40 years ago. During her first couple of years with Coshocton Schools Pam went from part-time to full-time cook, then to one-on-one aide, and finally to special needs bus aide. In 1991, Pam became a custodian for the district while still subbing as an aide, selling tickets at sporting events, and helping with ACT and SAT testing. In 2007, Pam became a media center aide. Before settling in at her current classification of secretary, Pam also served the district as both a bus driver and aide. Throughout Pam’s career in the school district, she has worked in every classification OAPSE Local 387 represents.

When Pam first became an aide, one of her co-workers talked to her about joining the OAPSE Local. “When my co-worker explained the benefits of the union and how important it was to join, I signed up right away.” Thomas explains. “Being with the school district for as long as I have, I can look back and see how signing that membership app way back when was beneficial for not only me, but all the members of my Local through the years.” Pam not only joined her Local union but has been one of its strongest activists. Over the years, Pam has served as Local President, Vice President, and Secretary, and is currently OAPSE’s Eastern District Secretary and a State PEOPLE Committee Member. “Pam has been such a great mentor to me.” Current Local 387 President Molly Thomas stated. “She is always willing to help and ALWAYS has her fellow OAPSE Local members best interests in mind. She has laid the groundwork for us to be able to accomplish so much as a Local in negotiations. I will be forever grateful for the guidance she has provided me and our Local.”

Pam was widowed in 1991 with two children and has since become a grandmother of two. Pam married Terry Thomas in 2011. Terry worked 33 years with United Steelworkers Local 4377 and was a union steward for 20 of those years. Terry also has two children and six grandchildren.

“My OAPSE Local has had a lot of wins throughout the years, but maybe the biggest one was our latest contract!” Thomas declared. “And that is thanks to the great work of our negotiating team, Local leadership, and OAPSE field representative.” That contract included a bonus payment to all members along with salary raises in each of the three years following the effective date. On top of those increases, the Local was able to get 10 new salary steps added to their pay scales. This was a huge win for longtime members like Pam Thomas. Previously, their pay scales only had 10 steps in total. Members like Pam, who topped out at step 10 in the past, will be getting 5 additional steps this year and 5 steps next year, on top of their negotiated raise and bonus. This is a major win for career school employees in the district and will have a significant impact on their annual earnings.

OAPSE has been winning settlements like Coshocton’s all around the state, but these victories only happen when Local membership numbers are strong, and our leaders are ready to fight for what our members deserve. Pam Thomas and her Local members are proof that, “When We Fight Together, We Win Together!”