Negotiators from PGCEA and the Board of Education met on Monday, September 8, to continue what has been a drawn out process. The meeting was productive and several tentative agreements were reached on language proposals.

While there was some agreement, a number of items have not been resolved. The Association’s position has remained firm. If the BOE does not have the money to raise salaries as it has in the past few years, then the BOE should be responsive to the Association’s proposals that do not have a price tag associated with them.

Unfortunately, throughout the process, the BOE’s team has taken the position that most non-monetary items involve management’s authority or prerogative to exercise control over the district. From the Association’s perspective, the contract proposals address real issues for members as they go about their daily tasks.

The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, at which time the Association is expecting a comprehensive response from the BOE to all outstanding issues.