After over 10 hours of slow negotiations between the Burlington Education Association (BEA) and the school board, a tentative agreement has been reached.
The deal will prevent a teacher strike and allow for all normal school operations, including athletics, to take place. The union will vote early next week to ratify the agreement, according to BEA President Fran Brock.
Mediator Ira Lobel came out of the negotiation room to share the news with tired members of the media. Some had arrived as early as 8:30 a.m.
“I think both sides are pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement,” Lobel said. “I think everybody should be happy that the students will be in school tomorrow with no aggravations.”
He added that the terms will not be disclosed until the agreement is ratified.
Members of the negotiations team of both parties exited the district offices quickly, dodging questions from reporters. Brock stopped briefly in the parking lot to answer a few questions.
An unfair labor practice complaint filed by the BEA with the Vermont Department of Labor last week will be negated once the agreement is ratified, Brock said.
“We don't have to strike,” she said. “They can all be teachers, which is what they do best.”
Below is a social media recap of the mediation proceedings, including tweets and videos:
We are heading to BSD offices to provide live updates on negotiations. #BTV
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
We are inside the district offices while negotiations meeting is taking place. We will Facebook LIVE if session concludes. #BTV #VT
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
.@BHSRegister doing an amazing job modeling relevant, effective use of digital tools for school reporting. https://t.co/J4SJtx3dWo
— UVM Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education (@innovativeEd) October 19, 2016
Negotiations meeting still ongoing behind closed doors. #BTV #VT pic.twitter.com/Zrle8K1bxe
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Just so #BTV knows: the @BHSRegister is schooling the local media on coverage here … https://t.co/EuzT2rYeqU
— konstructible (@Konstructible) October 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/taylordobbs/status/788784307972210689
Keeping you posted from BSD office as negotiations take place. No major updates to report yet. #BTV #VT pic.twitter.com/SZdoNGmakh
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Been waiting outside closed-door negotiations session for 3 plus hours. No updates yet. #BTV #VT
— Alexandre Silberman (@SilbermanCBC) October 19, 2016
Superintendent Yaw Obeng briefly addressed the media, saying that he expects schools to remain open tomorrow. #BTV #VT
— Alexandre Silberman (@SilbermanCBC) October 19, 2016
Mediator Ira Lobel says no deal has been reached and that there is tension in the room. #BTV
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Lobel: "We're making a bit of progress but it's slow." #BTV #VT
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Close to nine hours of negotiations have taken place so far. #BTV #VT
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Update from Lobel: Still no deal. #BTV #VT
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Awesome high school journalism happening at @BHSRegister – providing most consistent coverage in #btv teacher negotiatons
— Alex Shevrin Venet (@AlexSVenet) October 19, 2016
Is there a line item for @BHSRegister – because there should be. Awesome work tonight – keep it up! #BTV #vtpoli #BHS
— Shay Totten (@ShayTotten) October 19, 2016
BREAKING: Deal reached between teachers, school board. #BTV #VT
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
A tentative agreement has been reached. No strike will take place. #BTV
— BHS Register (@BHSRegister) October 19, 2016
Major kudos to @alexsilbermanvt & @BHSRegister for the awesome work covering #BTV school talks
— Shay Totten (@ShayTotten) October 19, 2016
https://twitter.com/meggersvt/status/788884396669566978
https://twitter.com/taylordobbs/status/788907006245629952
