School Boards Seek Teachers’ Pay Freeze
February 25, 2010, page 9

The Chittenden South Supervisory Union (CSSU) Board Negotiation Team, representing the boards of the Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne, Williston and CVU school districts, announced on February 16 that it had 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 toward reaching a settlement. The board indicated that the help of a third party would be necessary if the parties are to reach the end of the process by the end of the school year.
Until that point, by mutually agreed upon ground rules, the board negotiation team’s communications regarding board positions and proposals had been limited. Since impasse has been declared,the board team decided to share more information about its proposals.
The two teams exchanged proposals in January after spending the fall preparing. The board team said it crafted its proposal based on current economic conditions and a desire to continue to provide our communities with highly functioning school districts. While three-year contracts have been standard practice, the team proposed a one-year contract in light of current economic realities and the uncertain economic outlook. The proposed budgets of the represented school boards substantially reflect the key economic components of proposals that include:
• freezing teacher salaries for the next school year
• requiring teachers to pay 20% of health insurance premiums
The boards said 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 the board believes its proposals are fair and consistent with what is happening in the communities it represents.