The Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union and the Southwestern Vermont Education Association Educational Support Personnel Unit have come to a joint decision to postpone contract negotiations and extend the current support staff contract with no wage increase for the 2020-2021 school year.
The contract negotiations were put to a vote by union members. This agreement echoes last month’s agreement between SVSU and the Southwest Vermont Education Association, which extended current teacher contracts into the coming school year. These two decisions will allow SVSU to control costs while moving forward, dissolving fears of a reduction in force amongst union members.
"Just as in our discussions with the Teacher’s Association, the spirit of cooperation from the Education Support Staff Association during these difficult times is appreciated and unprecedented,” said SVSU Superintendent James R. Culkeen, adding his sincere thanks to the leadership and members of SWVEA-ESP and SWVEA.
“It is no surprise that the majority of members are in favor of preserving jobs and voted in agreement with the proposal put forth,” said Lisa Dufresne, SVEA-ESP President. “It is the desire of the ESP to continue to support both the students within our community as well as our school district and teachers in the most positive and effective way.”
The contracts will reach final approval when Superintendent Culkeen brings the proposal before the SVSU, Mount Anthony Union School District, and Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District Boards of Education for a vote.