Impasse over, teacher contracts issued
Impasse over, teacher contracts issued
By JILL DENNING GACKLE
The fat lady sang.
It was a one line chorus signaling the end of contract negotiations with Garrison teachers.
The board met this past Thursday morning to decide to issue contracts to teachers after a year of negotiations. Contracts were issued this week and teachers will have 30 days to sign; any teachers who don’t sign could be replaced, Board President Duane Hummel confirmed following the brief meeting.
Board Member Jerry Sayler read a motion to issue contracts based on the board’s last offer, one that was made in November. Daryl Engel, board member, seconded it. The vote was unanimous with all board members present. There was no discussion.
At a committee meeting Feb. 15, Dan Splichal, spokesperson for the Garrison Education Association, the teachers’ union, gave the green light for the board to issue contracts. The full board needed to meet to give the official go-ahead. Business Manager Virginia Beggs said after the meeting that it would take her a couple of days to get contracts ready for issuance. Teachers have 30 days from the date they are issued, to sign and return to the administration.
