FWCS & Teachers: Negotiations at a Halt

Contract negotiations are on hold between the Ft. Wayne Community School District and the Ft. Wayne Education Association (FWEA), which represents teachers. Both sides mutually agreed to put negotiations on hold since the state legislature has failed to deliver a budget for the next school year. The teachers current contract expires at the end of the summer. If a new contract is not negotiated before the current contract expires teachers will continue to work under the old contract until a new one is negotiated. Also on hold are negotiations to rehire 103 teachers laid off last April, due to lack of money. The district hopes to rehire those teachers but cannot do so until it knows what the budget is. Meanwhile, laid off teachers are struggling to figure out their future. Many would like to stay with the district but are unsure of whether to look for jobs elsewhere or wait to be rehired here. Under Indianas Constitution a state budget must be in place by June 30th. Negotiations between teachers and the district are on hold until August 1st. At that time, either side can recall all parties to the negotiation table. FWEAs Executive Director, Steve Brace, says the fact a budget is not in place has placed laid off teachers in a difficult position since they do not know whether they will be able to provide for their families. If the 103 teachers are not rehired, Brace says class sizes will go up. Brace says parents should be concerned about the quality of education students will get with fewer teachers.