BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT ABOUT NEGOTIATIONS
The Parma Board of Education would like to clarify the following items regarding its ongoing negotiation process with the Parma Education Association.
1.The Board’s negotiating team has met and negotiated in good faith with the teachers’ bargaining team for approximately six months in an attempt to reach a new labor contract. Over the last few months, the parties used the services of a federal mediator to assist them in reaching a fair and equitable contract for all parties.
2. On May 25, 2010, the parties again met to try to reach a deal. After reaching a point where there was no realistic possibility that further negotiations would have been productive, the Board’s negotiating team prepared and attempted to present a last, best offer to the teachers’ bargaining team around 4:45 p.m. However, the teachers’ bargaining team refused to accept delivery of the Board’s offer and then left the meeting site.
3.The Board’s offer to resolve the contract presents terms and conditions of employment that are fair and equitable to all parties – the teachers, the Board and the community we all serve. We are not asking the teachers for anything more than what we have required of other employees – to accept a wage freeze and to shoulder a fair share of the burden of the ever-increasing costs of healthcare.
4.The Board’s offer is a direct response to the dire financial state of the district, rising healthcare costs and the Board’s ongoing commitment to the taxpayers to provide the community with an “Excellent” school district.
5.The Board respects and values the work that our teachers – indeed, all of our employees – provide to the District and the community. This is not about personal agendas, being punitive or failing to recognize the immense commitment and care our staff demonstrates on a daily basis. This is about responding to the current state of the economy and education in the nation, the state and, more importantly, this community.
6.The Board hopes that the PEA will seriously consider the offer set forth by the Board, agree to those terms and conditions and allow us all to move forward to continue to serve the best interests of this community.
