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Clock Ticking on Teachers' Contract
Does this sound familiar? There are a few weeks before the start of the school year, and no new contract has been reached between the Galesburg School District and the union representing its teachers.

Galesburg Education Association president Russ Ullrich says in an e-mail to WGIL that the union and the district have only met three times since requesting contract talks back in March. Now, the current contract with teachers expires August 19th -- three days after school starts.

Ullrich blames things like state reforms and other things for so few meetings taking place. But District-205 Human Resources Director Diane VanHootegem tells WGIL the lack of meetings isn't really anyone's fault.


"There have been some barriers meeting from both sides and none of them placing blame or fault due to health issues, people who need to be involved we have to make sure of their availability," she says. "I'd say we have had opportunity to meet this summer, we have two more dates scheduled in August, one on the 12th and the other the 19th."

Van Hootegem says she remains optimistic an accord will be reached. Ullrich, meanwhile, says the GEA will meet behind closed doors next Wednesday afternoon at Churchill Junior High School to determine what can be done from here.

Unlike the talks of three years ago, Van Hootegem says at least a mediator hasn't had to be called yet.
08 05 11 by Newsroom
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