WTEA, Board Meet With State Fact Finder

Representatives of the Warren Township Education Association and the Board of Education met with the state-appointed fact finder Thomas D. Hartigan Dec. 7, who will report his conclusions within 45 days.

As part of the meeting, the representatives agreed not to discuss the state of negotiations, or particulars of the meeting, until after Hartigan's report has been issued.

The groups reached an impass in contract negoatiations in the spring, with the union requesting salary increases the board says it cannot provide because of the recently-imposed 2 percent tax levy cap. The WTEA says the cap applies to the tax levy and could allow for the requested increase.

At Monday night's Board of Education meeting, Board President Gregory Przybylski was queried by residents about the process around the fact finder's report, including whether or not the board would comment on the report after its presentation. Sue Berman, who leads the board's negotiating team, said that would be discussed at the time of the fact finder's presentation.

"I would assume that between now and that report, there is still opportunity for  to meet if both parties are interested, and we would certianly encourage continued discussion, rather than 45 days of silence," Dr. Przybylski said.

"We would encourage—the public would encourage—information, not silence," resident Andrea Frejomil said.

Superintendent Tami Crader added the fact finder's report would be issued to the public within days of its presentation to the negotiating committees , which can agree or disagree with the report's conclusions.

According to the 2003 state law governing the process—which was written to avoid having school boards impose terms after negotiations break down—if the fact finder's report includes a recommended settlement, the terms of the settlement must be made public within 10 days of its presentation to the negotiators.

In the event a settlement isn't reached within 20 days of the fact finder's report, the state may appoint a "super-conciliator" empowered to review and modify the report, as well as direct the negotiators to hold 24-hour marathon negotiating sessions.

The super-conciliator can also "institute non-binding procedures" deemed necessary.