Still no contract as deadline looms

The clock is ticking and time is running out for the Brainerd School District.

The Brainerd School Board and its teachers' union, Education Minnesota Brainerd, have yet to reach a contract settlement for the 2009-10 school year, school board members announced at Monday's meeting. If an agreement is not reached by 11:59 p.m. Friday, the state will penalize the district by reducing its state appropriations by $200,000.

The school board personnel committee met in closed session for an hour to discuss negotiations strategy before the regular meeting Monday night. Committee chair Chris Robinson said the committee recessed and will reconvene at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed at 6 p.m. by a special school board meeting. The board meeting Monday was to be continued at Friday's meeting.

"The committee is grateful for the efforts of both negotiation teams to arrive at a settlement in advance of the impending deadline," Robinson read from a prepared statement. "The board negotiation team has presented a final proposal to teachers' representatives. As of the close of the personnel committee meeting this evening we were not able to confirm whether that offer will be presented to the union membership for potential ratification by Friday. However, the committee is hopeful."

Robinson further stated that the board negotiation team will provide the personnel committee with any new developments at the 5:30 p.m. Friday meeting. The committee also recommended the full board meet at 6 p.m. Friday to possibly accept new information and any final recommendations by the personnel committee and hopefully, formally ratify the 2009-10 teachers' master contract before the midnight deadline.

Superintendent Steve Razidlo declined to comment on when the board's negotiators presented teachers with a final proposal.

JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.