Caledonia Argus

Teachers to vote on settlement

Posted: 8/13/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

Of the 345 school districts in the state, ISD #299 numbers among the 10% who still havenít settled a contract with its teachers.The wait may be over, however, if the CEA (Caledonia Education Association) reaches a majority vote today on a tentative agreement with the district. The CEA met in closed session Monday, night, August 12, to discuss the contract and hand out ballots. Ballots were to be returned and tallied today.

Teachers have been operating without a contract for the last 13 months. Negotiations for a new two year contract began in June of last year. Usually, districts need to have an agreement signed by January 15, but because the state introduced extra reporting requirements last year, the deadline was lifted.

The school board closed the meeting on Monday, August 5 to discuss the contract. Superintendent Jim Tool said, ìThat was basically giving the board a chance to ask questions about whether they feel comfortable with it.î

Tool would not comment on any of the points of the contract. He said, ìUsually there is an agreement that neither side comments on it. Once it is reached, we write a joint communication.î

Depending on if the teachers vote on the agreement, the board may act on the contract at the August 19 board meeting.

Since negotiations began, there have been 31 meetings between teachers and board members.

Spokespersons for the teachers include Keith Hollatz, Janell Field-Rohrer and Roger Knutson.

Also discussed in the closed board meeting was contract negotiations for support staff and administration. Negotiations with this group usually occurs in the opposite year of teacher negotiations.

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