D300 Teacher Contract Talks Continue, Multi-Year Pact Sought

Teachers' union President Kolleen Hanetho Wednesday denied a published report that strike votes are being taken at D300 schools.  Hanetho said LEAD 300 officials have only been meeting with teachers to explain current contract talks. She said a strike vote can't be taken until the talks break down, adding that they haven't.  "We have another (negotiating) meeting scheduled next month," she said.

D300 Board negotiator Joe Stevens confirmed another contract session is set Tuesday.  "That was the earliest (a State mediator) could manage," he said.

Both Hanetho and Stevens said they couldn't talk about the substance of the talks but agreed they were still progressing.  Stevens said at the last session Monday Hanetho requested a face-to-face meeting with Board negotiators.  "I'm glad she did that," said Stevens. "I think it went well."

"We want an agreement that's fair and equitable. For both the teachers and the students," Hanetho said.

State Board of Education rules require a formal declaration of impasse in negotiations before a month-long ritual begins that can allow a strike vote.

The only new information FEN could winkle out of negotiators Wednesday was that they're trying for a three-year contract.  Last year's accord which expired in June was only for one year but Stevens said, "We don't want to go through this again."