GRAY – The chairman of the SAD 15 school board this week chastised the teacher’s union for seeking publicity on stalled negotiations over a lapsed teachers’ contract.
Dr. Alan Rich of New Gloucester said, “Last week’s publicity (by union members) was disappointing. It provided no leverage for the union. It impairs trust between the parties.”
The board takes non-agenda discussion from the public, but it is not legally required, Rich said, adding that a school board meeting is not the appropriate forum for teachers to bring the union dispute. The parties should carry out negotiations in closed meetings, rather than a “one-sided distorted plan through the media,” he said.
Last week, about 50 teachers carrying picket signs for the third time this fall marched in front of the superintendent’s office on Route 26 to gain public support for their failed contract negotiations, which began in March.
At issue, teachers say, is a part of the contract that deals with workload and planning times, which faces elimination. About 160 teachers, librarians and nurses have been working without a contract since September. A fact-finding meeting was scheduled to take place this week.
In other business, the board reviewed a tougher co-curricular and athletic substance abuse policy, which is expected to be approved later this month. Athletics and Student Activities administrator Geoff Robbins said the new policy would require that student athletes and co-curricular participants set a higher standard of performance with a “three strike and you’re out” provision.
A first offense would remove a student from participating for the remainder of the season. A second offense would drop the student for the semester. And, if a third offense happened, the student would no longer be eligible to participate in co-curricular or athletic activities. Robbins said the revised policy brings a more consistent expectation for students and aligns the district with other school systems.
In addition, an athletic handbook has been revised to align all programs in the middle and high school athletic departments for all students. The handbook and policy are expected to be approved at the board’s next meeting.
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