FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 18, 2016
Contact: Katie Vane
802.734.0617
Mayor Miro Weinberger Statement on Upcoming Burlington School District Mediation Opportunity
Burlington, VT – Mayor Weinberger released the following statement today regarding the Burlington School District’s scheduled mediation meeting on Wednesday, October 19, 2016:
“We are fortunate to have such outstanding teachers and committed volunteer School Board members serving our children and all the people of Burlington. As a result of their hard work and collaboration, Burlington schools have overcome challenges in recent years, are innovating and thriving in many ways, and have earned the deep support of the community. It would be a considerable setback for our schools, our children, and our community should the parties fail to reach a resolution of the contract dispute between the Burlington Education Association and the School District.
“While my office is not directly involved in these negotiations, I have spoken with the leadership of both parties and kept open those lines of communication. I am sympathetic to the pressures both face, and continue to monitor the situation closely. I welcome that the appointed federal mediator has called both parties back to the bargaining table on October 19 as an opportunity to avoid a disruption of the school year. I urge the representatives of both the teachers union and the board to leverage tomorrow’s opportunity with a spirit of good will, creativity, and collaboration in an effort to spare our children, families, and community the damage of further conflict.”
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