Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for August 21, 2007 BENTON BARGAINING

The "Cairo Connection" in this story...

It always amazes me as to how many stories do have a "Cairo Connection. For such a small town, Cairoites and "outsiders" that are drawn into the Cairo orbit seem to pop up everywhere. Granted, Benton is not that far removed from Cairo, but it's still weird that you read a story in passing...and there it is!

Okay, back to the story.

The negotiator for the Benton Board of Education is identified as Brad Colwell...the same Brad Colwell who is one of the three Cairo Financial Oversight Panel members.

Contract negotiations continue at Benton school

BY BECKY MALKOVICH, THE SOUTHERN

BENTON - No immediate contract agreement was anticipated as a fifth negotiating session began Monday night between the Benton Community Consolidated School District 47 and the Illinois Federation of Teachers, which represents the district's 74 certified staff members.

Keith Griffith, IFT representative and chief negotiator for the teachers, declined to comment on the progress of negotiations other than to say he was "optimistic."

The district's chief negotiator, Brad Colwell, also declined comment on the status of negotiations, but did say both sides agreed early on that bargaining would take place between the negotiating parties rather than in the press.

The negotiating session began Monday evening after teachers completed their first full day of school with students present. Their previous contract, which covered a three-year period, expired July 1.

Negotiations for a new contract for the K-8 teachers began in June.

Colwell said that despite the lack of a contract, negotiating sessions have been "very collegial," and there has been no talk of a strike.

"I haven't heard anyone use that word," he said.

Colwell said he expects to provide an update on contract talks to the district's board of education during its meeting next Tuesday.