Union groups get deadline to settle

The Brainerd School Board issued a deadline Monday to union negotiators for its teachers and administrators:

Contract settlements need to be reached before the Dec. 14 regular board meeting.

If negotiations aren't reached by mid-January, the district could be issued a $200,000 penalty, said board member Reed Campbell, who read a statement from board members at Monday's regular meeting. But the board specified that it expects the two union groups to come to a settlement by Dec. 14.

Board members met in closed session before Monday's regular meeting and have met several times this fall in closed session to discuss contract negotiations.

"The district believes it has put forward reasonable offers to the teachers' and administrators' bargaining groups and that there is more than enough time for both groups to come to a satisfactory resolution of contract negotiations," Campbell read from the statement.

Campbell said both groups received formal offers from the district last summer, one in July and the other in August. He said both groups are working hard to achieve fair settlements which take into account the current economics of the community and state.

"Because of the time already given in consideration of formal affairs, it is our expectation that both the teacher and administrator groups settle before the Dec. 14 board meeting," said Campbell.

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