No deal for teachers in Phoenixville

Daily Local News
No deal for teachers in Phoenixville

They've been working without a contract since June 30
Thursday, September 23, 2010

By Dennis J. Wright
Special to the Local News
PHOENIXVILLE — Teachers in the Phoenixville Area School District have been working without a new contract since June 30; they've been abiding by the previous contract.

Since the June 30 deadline, there have been more than 10 committee meetings held to work on teacher contract negotiations, including one on June 30.

School board President Paul Slaninka said negotiation meetings were held consistently over the summer months in hopes of working on a contract prior to the new school year.

"Some of those meetings were team meetings and some were with the association," Slaninka said. "We've been meeting and we've had the mediator involved. It's a slow process and and it's going and going."

Slaninka said both sides exchanged proposals in the beginning of this year and have been making some progress along the way.

"Each one of us exchanged proposals back in January, and we've agreed on most of them," he said. "We've taken care of the low-hanging fruit on the tree. There are still a lot of issues outstanding but I'm hoping that they can be worked out. Our team is ready, willing and able. We are very optimistic."

Even though the teachers are still under the previous contract, Slaninka said he's very proud of their professionalism as the school year began on time.

"We're very proud of our teachers and the level of professionalism they've demonstrated," he said. "Our kids have reaped the benefits of their professionalism by school opening on time. (School Superintendent Alan) Fegley and (Assistant Superintendent Regina) Palubinsky have done a great job, along with the principals and teachers in all of our schools. It's a team effort on how the schools have opened this year. We couldn't be prouder of them all."

Slaninka saidPennsylvania law states that teachers must give 48 hours notice prior to going on strike. He said that if the teachers do strike, they must come back if the 180-day school year is in jeopardy by June 15.

"Then, after a period of time, if they chose to go out again, they can go out as far as the 180-day school year is not in jeopardy by June 30," he said. "We are very hopeful that won't happen."

With more meetings to look forward to in the future, Slaninka said each side knows its position.

"We are still in the process of more meetings," he said. "The mediator is in charge of scheduling the meetings so we are looking forward to the next one. Bargaining has taken place and each side knows their position and everything is going forward from there."