Public Relations > News: Contract Negotiations > Despite Progress on Small Issues, $10+ Million Chasm Keeps Souderton School Board and Teachers Union Away from a Settlement - September 12th, 2008

Despite Progress on Small Issues, $10+ Million Chasm Keeps Souderton School Board and Teachers Union away from a Settlement

Next Negotiation Sessions Slated for Sept. 15 and Sept. 19

The Souderton Area School Board and the Souderton Area Education Association met in a negotiation session today which yielded progress on small items, but failed to bridge a gap on positions regarding salary and benefits. According to district calculations, the difference between the School Board's proposal and the union's proposal on these two key issues is in excess of $10 million.

"What we have here is a gap that the community cannot afford to close and the union is unwilling to close. It is truly disheartening," stressed Bernie Currie, School Board President.

During the 5.5 hour negotiation session, progress did occur in smaller areas. The board agreed to modify its proposals regarding length of the work year, unused personal days and timelines for grievance filing. The teacher's union withdrew its request for classroom coverage compensation and a sick day bank.

The chasm between salary and benefit proposals, however, still remained with no new counterproposals being presented by the teacher's union.

Two new negotiation sessions have been scheduled for September 15 and September 19 and, despite requests by parents at last night's board meeting, teachers have not announced plans to resume work on Monday.

"The union's negotiator made it clear that he plans to exhaust the process," explained Currie. "We can only assume this means he has no intention of recommending teachers go back to school until required to by state law on September 24. This is most unfortunate for the students and the teachers."