MAR LIN - The Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 board of directors might have a copy of the proposed teachers contract in hand as early as next week, according to Diane M. Niederriter, IU 29 executive director.
"We expect that to be done next week. We're hoping we can take board action on it Aug. 4," Niederriter said after the board's July meeting on Monday at the Schuylkill Avenue Campus.
After two days of negotiations sessions last week, the teachers and school board at IU 29 reached an "agreement in principle" Wednesday, according to the attorneys representing the parties.
The attorney for the IU board, Charles N. Sweet, New Britain, Bucks County, and Mark Featherman, an attorney with the law firm of Willig, Williams and Davidson, Philadelphia, who represented the teachers, are in the process of writing up the pact.
"Attorney Sweet would like the teachers to vote on it before the next board meeting, and we're hopeful," Niederriter said.
The IU's 67 teachers have been working without a contract since their last pact expired June 30, 2012. Negotiations began Jan. 9, 2012. Wednesday marked the 30th month since talks began.
In other matters at the IU's July meeting, the board approved the Special Education District Services Program Budget for the 2014-15 school year. It totals $8,001,687.
The board accepted a letter of intent to retire from Mary Ann Gochalla, special education teacher, effective at the end of the work day Oct. 31.
The board also authorized the administration to advertise for and employ a supervisor of mathematics and district support consultant. "This position is needed to provide training for statewide initiatives funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education," according to the agenda.