Winooski School Board Makes History: First Vermont Board to Impose Working Conditions for 2 Straight Years
WINOOSKI – Despite voter approval of school budgets that call for modest raises for Winooski’s teachers, the Winooski School Board tonight again refused to negotiate with teachers, declaring an imposition for the second year in a row.
In doing so, the Winooski School Board becomes the first in the history of Vermont to impose working conditions for two years in a row. The action means that Winooski’s teachers will begin the school year without a contract – for the third straight year.
“The Winooski Education Association is extremely disappointed with the school board’s decision to once again abandon the negotiating process and impose the board’s agenda on the teachers of Winooski,” said Brent Litterer, one of the negotiators for the teachers. “The decision to impose on the teachers is, however, unsurprising as the board has indicated from the beginning that they were unwilling to participate in a fair negotiation.”
Litterer, on behalf of the men and women who teach Winooski’s children, expressed his disappointment with the board’s decision during the brief meeting. Additionally, he noted that Winooski voters have approved multiple school budgets containing modest raises for teachers – all to no avail, as the board has refused to negotiate at almost every turn.
Litterer urged the board to talk with the teachers. “It is long past time to put this divisive process to rest. Come back to the table. Talk to us. And let’s not leave until we have a deal,” he said.