NFT, School Board Attorneys To Discuss Non-Binding Arbitration

Both the Neshaminy School Board and Neshaminy Federation of Teachers' respective attorneys will be meeting with a state mediator to discuss the non-binding arbitration process.

At the recommendation of the state mediator, today's previously scheduled negotiation session has been postponed so that the mediator can schedule the meeting between the attorneys, school board President Ritchie Webb said.

The arbitrator recommended not releasing the time, date or location of the meeting between the attorneys so they can meet "free of any pressures" from negotiation teams, community members and the media, Webb said.

The state mandates arbitration through Act 88. NFT spokesperson Bob Schiers stated that arbitration was something the union has "anticipated."

"We are hopeful this will bring us one step closer to a contract," Schiers said.

Webb state that he's sure that an arbitrator would "render their best opinion" and that he plans on going into arbitration "open minded" and "hoping for the best."

"We hope that the arbitrator will see things from the financial limitations of the district," Webb stated.

Binding arbitration is "off the table," Webb said.

In non-binding arbitration, either side can reject the arbitrator's finding. If that is the case, Webb said both sides would go back to negotiating as they were prior to the strike.