BOE Begins Contract Negotiations with Teacher's Union

Last week the Board of Education's Negotiations Committee began discussions with the Hamden Education Association about the new contract between teachers and the district, and it's likely not going to be easy going, school officials said.

Board Chairman Michael D'Agostino said that the negotiations are likely to end up in arbitration, not because they believe the teacher's demands are unreasonable, but because the district can't afford to pay what they're worth.

"It's going to be a difficult year," he told teachers who attended an HEA-sponsored candidate forum last week at Hamden High School.

There will be several meetings that will take place this month and next month, D'Agostino said. Contracted salaries make up the majority of the Board of Education budget, which is almost $80 million this year.

Board member Myron Hul said he would like to see the board more involved in the negotiations rather than relying on school administrators to shoulder the responsibilities.

"We have been letting the administrators negotiate," Hul said, "but I think we now want a more hands-on approach."

If an agreement isn't in place by November, it's likely the contract will go before state arbitration in December, D'Agostino said. In January, the board will begin negotiations with another major union, the custodian's union, he said.