Chittenden South Supervisory Union
Teacher Negotiation Update

February 16, 2010

The CSSU Board Negotiation Team, representing the boards of the Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston and CVU school districts, announced today that it has declared impasse in its negotiations with the Chittenden South Education Association. Negotiations will now move into the next phase of the process by using an independent mediator to work with both sides towards reaching a settlement. The board believes that the help of a third party is necessary if the parties are to reach the end of the process by the end of the school year.

Up until today, by mutually agreed upon Ground Rules, the board negotiation team’s communications regarding board positions and proposals with their communities was limited. In their press release they indicated that given the current economic realities, more people are questioning what is happening in negotiations. They said that now that impasse has been declared the board negotiation team can share more information about the negotiation process and its proposals.

The two teams exchanged proposals in January 2010 after spending the fall preparing. The board team crafted its proposal based on the current economic conditions and a desire to continue to provide our communities with highly functioning school districts. While a three-year contract has been standard practice, the board proposed a one year contract in light of current economic realities and the uncertain economic outlook. The boards’ budgets substantially reflect the key economic components of the board proposals, including:

• Freezing teacher salaries for the next school year.
• Requiring teachers to pay 20% of health insurance premiums

The boards said that they recognize the excellent programs all of their districts provide to their students and communities, and the contributions the teachers make to their success. However in these economic times, the board believes its proposals are fair and consistent with what is happening in the communities it represents.