Negotiations groundwork begins
Revenue increases could be offset
By STU MERRY
Preliminary work continues as the Garrison School Board and Garrison Education Association prepare to sit down and negotiate a pact for the coming school year.
Monday, the district’s Negotiations Committee sifted through the Negotiated Master Agreement- tweaking verbiage in material that will be presented to GEA representatives.
This is the second time the school’s negotiations committee has met. School officials expect negotiations to begin in early April.
Prior to the negotiations meeting, the Budget and Finance Committee met. It discussed the estimated finances for the district for the coming year, comparing proposed revenues to expenses.
Members heard the district could receive an additional $175,000 in foundation aid next year. Oil and gas production funds could add another $50,000. And if the board decides to increases its mills to the maximum level (60 mills), an additional $83,000 could be realized. The district presently levies 54.45 mills.
But the committee heard those increases could easily be offset by projected expenses, which could include an additional elementary teacher and another instructor at the secondary level.
