Oak Hills Education Association
Brian Malavich – President
Heather Packer – Vice-President
Jeanna Linenkugel – Secretary
Gregory Rolfes – Treasurer
Susan Dochterman – Membership Chair
August 12, 2026
Dear OHEA member,
Welcome back to another great year! My name is Brian Malavich, and I am your OHEA President. I want to begin by thanking you for your continued support of our teachers, our profession, and our union through your membership. Our strength comes from our members, and your participation helps ensure that OHEA continues to have a strong and effective voice.
Being a member of OHEA is one of the most important ways you can support your students, your coworkers, and public education. We are entering the first year of our new two-year Collective Bargaining Agreement. The current contract and salary scale will be available on the OHEA website and will also be included in your welcome email.
This is an exciting time to be part of Oak Hills Local Schools. With the passage of the new building bond issue, our district is looking toward the future with plans to build and update several of our buildings. While these changes bring a great deal of excitement and opportunity, they also bring some uncertainty. One source of that uncertainty is the continued changes to school funding formulas being considered and implemented by our legislators in Columbus. I will continue to provide updates on education-related legislation and other important changes in the monthly minutes emailed to members.
The education field can be a trying profession in these times. There are many issues that are outside of our control, particularly those influenced by politics and decisions made at the state level. OHEA’s focus is to put our energy where we can make a meaningful difference—protecting and strengthening our contract, advocating for financial security, and helping members prepare for a secure retirement.
Communication is key to maintaining a productive relationship and resolving concerns effectively. OHEA takes pride in working collaboratively with district leadership to address member concerns, resolve issues, and work together on current and upcoming challenges. Our goal is to maintain a professional relationship that ultimately benefits our members, our students, and our district.
If you were an OHEA member during the 2025-2026 school year, you will automatically remain an OHEA member for the 2026-2027 school year. If you choose to withdraw your membership, you must submit a written statement of your wishes that includes your signature, is not submitted by email, and identifies your specific building. This statement must be submitted to Susan Dochterman at Oak Hills High School by Friday, August 28, 2026.
Finally, elections for the Winter and Spring Representative Assemblies will be held on October 1 and 2. Our OHEA officer and building representative elections will be held April 21, 22, and 23. Please reach out to your building representative with any questions about these elections or opportunities to become more involved in OHEA.
Thank you again for your continued support, your dedication to our students, and your commitment to our profession. I look forward to working with all of you throughout the 2026-2027 school year.
Sincerely,
Brian Malavich
OHEA President