The boards of the Chittenden South Supervisory Union and the teachers in the CSSU district have been working since last February to come to an agreement in regard to 2010-2011 teachers' contracts. After several meetings, the boards and the teachers declared an impasse and began working with a negotiator to help both parties reach agreement. A panel of two board members from each of the Charlotte, Hinesburg, Shelburne and Williston school boards was selected but was not able to meet with the teachers until June 10. No progress was made at that mediation and the negotiation process moved into a fact finding phase. The CSSU board put forward its position, which can be found on the CSSU website (www.cssu.org) through the link "Teacher Negotiations" in the "Headlines" section. On Aug. 18, the fact finder put forth his recommendations from the teachers. The details of those finding can also be found at www.cssu.org.

According to a press release sent out by the CSSU board on Aug. 30, "The board negotiating team is concerned that the fact finder's recommendations do not meet the needs and expectations of the CSSU communities, however, the boards are committed to reach a fiscally responsible settlement."

"We are pleased that the board said it didn't want to go down the road of other boards in Chittenden County that have walked away from negotiations," said Lisa Bisbee, a teacher at Williston Central School. "We remain committed to reaching a settlement with the boards."
Currently, the two groups are planning a date for a joint meeting whereby they can come to a settlement. In the event a successor agreement is not reached, the boards have a legal right to impose a one year contract and the teachers have the right to strike.