School Mediation Session Scheduled For Aug. 4

The Wolf Point Education Association and the Wolf Point School District will continue the mediation process for a new contract on Thursday, Aug. 4. The session is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

The two parties last met June 14 under the leadership of mediator David Luckey for the State of Montana. That session started prior to 5 p.m. and ended shortly before 11 p.m.

Both parties made proposals during that night. The last proposal from the school district included a pay increase of 3 percent in the first year, 2 percent for the second year and 1 percent for the third year. After that proposal, the teachers’ union decided not to continue because not all of its leadership team could be in attendance.

One piece of language that the school district seems to want to change involves the handling of nontenure teachers. The school district wants the ability to nonrenew the employment of a nontenure teacher at the conclusion of the school fiscal year with or without cause. Teachers note the benefits of having a written plan for improvement made by administrators to help instructors get better.

Luckey said the teachers seem to not be willing to change that language for the next contract.

An additional mediation negotiation is set for Wednesday, Aug. 10, at 3 p.m.