Your negotiations team met at the District Office at 8:00 A.M. on Wednesday, May 8 for fact finding. Both fact finding teams presented their binders of information supporting their positions to a three-member panel. The panel was comprised of one individual representing the district, one individual representing PRPE, and one neutral representative. After presenting, we separated and the neutral party began mediating with the two representatives. At 2:30 A.M., May 9 (18 ½ hours of mediation) we were unable to reach a settlement that, we thought, would be ratified at that time.

We were instructed to return to the table at 10:00 A.M. later that same morning on May 9. After 3 ½ hours, we reached a Tentative Agreement which will be placed in your boxes. We will answer any questions you have about the agreement. We recommend you vote to ratify this agreement. You will be asked to vote for ratification on May 20, 21, and 22, after having a week to study the TA. Please get your ballots to your reps by Wednesday, May 22 at 3:00 P.M. The reps will count the votes and submit a total to Samantha Brossette (PRPE’s Corresponding Secretary) by 4:00 P.M. on May 22.

Our thanks to all participants and the panel members, John Moseley (chair), Ron Bennett, and Terry Welborn (CTA Primary Contact Staff). A huge THANK YOU to all of you for your support and commitment to our profession and the negotiations team.