Talks continue between RC school board and two union groups
There seems to be no end in sight for labor negotiations in the Rogers City Area Schools. Contract talks between the school board and two union groups linger on and could continue for weeks, or maybe even months. The Rogers City Educators? Association, which is the union representing teachers, has been without a contract for five months.
The Rogers City Educational Support Personnel (RCESP), consisting of teacher aides, bus drivers, and custodians, have been without a new agreement since last summer. Members of the school board convened to closed session Monday evening to discuss the two contracts with district negotiator Bruce Bigham.
ACCORDING TO superintendent Ed Schultz, the teachers recently made a new proposal, which was accepted by Schultz and chief financial officer Don Schaedig, and forwarded to Bigham. Bigham will remain in place as the negotiator, and may be involved in the transition to another board representative. The board decided February 9 to not renew Bigham?s contract, which expires the end of August.
Bigham shared his opinion on the proposal from the teachers at Monday?s executive session, although it didn?t lead to a new deal. ?The board is discussing among themselves how to go about selecting someone new and who they might get,? said Schultz. ?I?ve been helping them get names and telephone numbers.? The next m
PRIOR TO conducting the closed session at the Grambau Center, board members met for a joint community planning session with Rogers City Council members at city hall. There was a presentation from Mary Schalk and Dave Glenn on the recently-published booklet, ?Report Card on Child and Family Quality of Life in Presque Isle County,? compiled by the Presque Isle County Human Services Coordinating Council.
Discussions included board and city council members, city manager John Bruning, and others. The meeting lasted a little more than two hours in council chambers.