Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. has conducted its first state-mandated public hearing to discuss the upcoming collective bargaining for employee salary, wages and benefits.
Every two years, BCSC and the Columbus Educators Association work together to reach a written agreement regarding teacher salaries, wages and salary-related benefits. The two-year contract is based on how many dollars the corporation receives from the state based on student enrollment.
New this year, the involved parties, in this case BCSC and Columbus Educators Association, must hold a public hearing and take public testimony regarding teacher compensation before starting private, formal negotiations.
The new statute is a result of Senate Enrolled Act 390, passed by Indiana lawmakers earlier this year.
The entities may not formally bargain in private until the parties have held a public hearing and allowed public testimony regarding teacher compensation.
The updated statute also requires the school employer to hold a public meeting once a tentative agreement is reached. At least 72 hours after the tentative agreement meeting, the corporation must hold a ratification meeting hosted by the school board where the public can also offer input.
The timeline for formal collective bargaining did not change — it begins Sept. 15 and ends Nov. 15.
No one offered public comment at Thursday’s public hearing. In previous years, corporations and the representative were not required to hold public hearings in regard to the collective bargaining.
BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts said he wasn’t sure what sort of outcome to expect considering its the first meeting of its kind for the corporation.
The corporation and the Columbus Educators Association have already entered an informal negotiation process ahead of the Sept. 15 formal start date, which is permitted.
If the two parties fail to reach an agreement by Nov. 15, the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board is statutorily required to declare an impasse and will work with the two parties to reach an agreement.
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Formal collective bargaining to determine Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. salary, wages and benefits between BCSC and the Columbus Educators Association will begin Sept. 15. The parties have two months to reach a ratified agreement.
BCSC must hold a public meeting once a tentative agreement is reached. At least 72 hours after the tentative agreement meeting, the corporation must hold a ratification meeting hosted by the school board where the public can also offer input.
The parties must reach an agreement by Nov. 15 or the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board is statutorily required to declare an impasse and will work with the two parties to reach an agreement.
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