The Poland Education Association and the Poland Board of Education reached impasse during negotiations on August 20, 2018. A Federal Mediator was requested. The contract between the PEA and the board expired on August 31, 2018. Teachers have been working without a contract in good faith that a fair settlement could be reached.
Because no agreement could be reached via negotiations between the PEA and the Board of Education, a federal mediator was summoned. Our first mediation session took place on September 4, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. and concluded at 8:15 p.m. at the Poland Board of Education Office. The second mediation session on October 4, 2018 lasted for a little over four hours. Unfortunately, a fair and equitable agreement was not reached. PEA spokesperson Nichole Blaze reported that, “We are extremely disheartened that there has been little progress throughout the negotiation process. Poland teachers are dedicated to this community and in educational excellence for our children. The PEA deeply resents the fact that, once again, we have returned to another school year teaching without a contract. All we are asking for is a fair and equitable contract. We urge our community to contact the board members and insist that their negotiations be brought to a mutually acceptable agreement.”
The PEA represents 122 teachers who are employed by the Poland Local Schools District.
PEA Spokesperson: Nichole Blaze
