SMETHPORT — Despite rejecting the fact finder’s report on reconsideration at a special meeting Wednesday, Smethport Area School directors seem optimistic that with a few clarifications, the report could lead to a labor agreement with the Smethport Area Education Association.
After Wednesday’s vote, school director Dan Wertz, an attorney who appeared for the district at the fact finding hearing, said, “Although we rejected the report, it represents a lot of opportunity and with some clarification, I hope we resolve the issue.”
Either party in contract talks may request fact finding, a dispute resolution process in which a third party hears offers from both sides. If both sides agree to the fact finder’s report, it becomes the basis for an agreement. When one side rejects the report, negotiations continue.
On May 26 the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board appointed a fact finder in the impasse between the district and teachers’ labor union. The report was released June 26.
Once the report is released, the district initially rejected the report within the state-mandated time limit.
The teachers’ union also rejected the report.
In this case, the fact finder’s report can be posted for the public to view. At this stage, both parties are to reconsider and take another vote.
District Superintendent David London said, “Even though the board rejected the fact finder’s report, the district feels we can clarify a couple of minor issues to work toward an agreement.”
In the only other matter to come before the board, the directors accepted the resignation of Doug Rose as an educational technology technician, effective Aug. 21. The district will post the vacancy.
