YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A charter school in Youngstown has become the first school of its kind in Ohio to have employees join a union according to the Ohio Education Association.

Nearly 73 teachers and staff at the three Summit Academy Schools in Youngstown have voted in favor of unionization.

According to a news release from the OEA, ballots from a representation election were counted on Friday.

According to the 121,000 member OEA, this will be the first union at an Ohio charter school, which focuses on the special needs of students.

The next step for the newly-unionized teacher and staff will be to negotiate a labor contract with the operators of Summit Academy.