Cary school board, union to meet again
The Cary teachers union and board of education have agreed to meet for another mediation session in a prolonged attempt to reach an agreement on a new contract for teachers.
Members of the Cary Education Association and the Cary Elementary District 26 school board will return to the negotiating table at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
In a letter to board President Chris Spoerl and Superintendent Brian Coleman, the union said teachers and the community seek closure on the negotiations that began in December.
“During the past week Cary teachers have worked diligently to prepare classrooms and lessons for the beginning of the school year to ensure a successful start for our students,” a prepared statement said. “However, Cary teachers continue to recognize the urgency of the current situation between the board of education and the teachers, as well as the call from the community to resolve the issue of negotiations.”
The teachers union has said it has another offer to present. However, details of the latest proposal were not immediately available.
School board member Jason Larry said the board also is looking for an end to the negotiations.
“This is a session with the mediator, and the two sides will come together with the intent to reach a deal,” Larry said.
Teachers returned to school last week under working conditions set out in the board’s last offer. After reaching an impasse last month, the board imposed its last offer, which included a longer school day and a salary rollback to 2008-2009 levels.
The imposed conditions are not an agreed upon contract. Both sides are working to finalize a contract to succeed the previous contract that expired on Aug. 23.