TESD Releases Contract Negotiation Update

BERWYN, PA – The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District released an update on the ongoing contract negotiations between the district and Tredyffrin/Easttown Education Association teachers union recently.

At its Monday, Sept. 25 meeting, where teachers from the TEEA picketed outside Conestoga High School, the board released a statement regarding the contract negotiations between the TESD and the EEA.

"T/E teachers are passionate about their craft. They care about our students. They are dedicated. I had the opportunity to attend curriculum night for my two children and so did several of the other Board members for their children," School Board President Doug Carlson said. "That evening we got a glimpse at what our children experience each day. Our students are very fortunate. The teachers were enthusiastic, energetic, and committed to help our children learn and develop. The teachers also talked about how much they like teaching here in T/E. They referenced and I would echo the motivated students and the support of parents and the broader community."

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The district and union have been working to establish a new contract since January this year.

Recently, both parties agreed to enter a fact-finding stage where a neutral third party appointed by the state examines the demands from both parties and develops a mutually agreeable resolution.

"We expect this process will play out by early November," Carlson said. "Until then, the District remains committed to bargaining in good faith with the teachers through the fact-finding process, and we hope that the matter is resolved with as little disruption to the students and community as possible."

Carlson listed the district's goal in developing and agreeing upon a new contract. Those are:

• To ensure the sustainable success of T/E’s strong educational programs;
• To provide fair compensation and benefits to T/E’s employees;
• To respect the financial impact on District taxpayers.

The contract under which teachers are working now expired in late June this year and the TESD and TEEA began trying to strike a deal in January with no luck.

"In any negotiations process, each side sometimes defines the word fair differently, but both remain
committed to working together until an agreement is reached," Carlson said. "Negotiations continued during the summer, if not through in person meetings, then through the chief negotiators representing the District
and the TEEA in a process agreed to by both parties. Likewise, each side remained willing to schedule
face-to-face meetings at appropriate times in the process. The specific timing of those meetings was based on the availability of those representing the teachers and the District .

The district provides updated information, as well as frequently asked questions regarding the negotiations at its website here.

Image via Tredyffrin/Easttown School District