Enthused about Steve Gourley and Scott Zeidman being elected to the School Board last week, Teachers Union President David Mielke brought what he thought was a capital suggestion to last night’s Board meeting.
The opening round of budget discussions is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4.
Since negotiations with the Teachers Union form a crucial part of the hash-out talks, Mr. Mielke thought it would be a terrific vehicle for introducing Mr. Zeidman and Mr. Gourley to the sometimes-gory process.
True, the replacements for Board President Marla Wolkowitz and Stew Bubar will not be seated until a week later, Tuesday, Dec. 11.
To Be Succinct
Since the two outgoing Board members will play no role in the budget decisions, isn’t it coldly logical, Mr. Mielke wondered, to include the newcomers and exclude the short-termers?
Ms. Wolkowitz had four crisp words for the Teachers Union president:
“Nice try. But no.”
Explanation Due
It was not apparent at first to the fairly crowded room at District Headquarters as to why Mr. Mielke’s proposal was turned away.
But Ms. Wolkowitz explained later:
The budget discussion, she said, is part of the sensitive Union/School District negotiations.
Community members, which Mr. Zeidman and Mr. Gourley still are, technically, are not invited.
Talks Are Out of View
Since these discussions are a dimension of the Union contract negotiations, sitting Board members also are excluded, even though they later will vote on the agreement.
After the private talks have been completed, Ms. Wolkowitz said, with assurance, “all information” will be presented to the School Board and to th community.