Contract Negotiations Move To Next Level

By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

Gregory J. Guercio, a partner in the firm of Guercio & Guercio who has served as the district's chief negotiator with the union since contract meetings began in March, announced at Monday evening's Board of Education meeting that both sides have met twice with Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) mediator Howard Edelman but have been unable to reach agreement on several issues.

The contract dispute between the Garden City School District and the Garden City Teachers' Association will now move to the next level under the Public Employees Fair Employment Act. Since resolution was not achieved through mediation, another PERB staff member will be appointed to conduct the next step, called "fact-finding."

A formal hearing will be held and the fact-finder will produce to both parties a written, nonbinding recommendation for settlement. Guercio said that even though it is not binding, the recommendation is still considered influential. Five days after releasing the document to the two sides, the recommendation will be made available to the public.

The hearing will most likely be held in the spring. Guercio said the preparation is intense: both sides have to agree on a fact-finder and then are required to prepare comprehensive briefs. The availability of popular fact-finders is limited because they are in high demand.

Under the Public Employees Fair Employment Act, commonly known as the Taylor Law, every contract provision remains in effect even though it expired on June 30th. The labor relations statute covers most public employees in New York State and establishes, among other things, procedures for the resolution of collective bargaining disputes.

GCTA President Carlo Rebolini had no comment. For the fifth month in a row, a large group of teachers attended the Board of Education meeting to silently show their support for resolution to the contract dispute between their union and the district.

Garden City resident Theresa Gillan said teachers should be "applauded for their professionalism and commitment to students." Gillan also commented that teachers in a "district of this caliber" should have a contract.

In other news, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen announced that Abhinav Rohatgi, a senior at Garden City High School, has been selected as one of 300 2007 Intel Science Talent Search Semi-Finalists. He commended Rohatgi on his research studying the environmental effects of the fuel additive methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), and science research teacher Steven Gordon, Ph.D. for his assistance.

Dr. Feirsen encouraged residents to check out the district's newly-enhanced Web site and make suggestions via a new "Give us Feedback" link.

He invited community members to the work session to be held on February 12th at 8:15 p.m. in the high school cafeteria. The session will focus on a report prepared by a consultant hired by the district to study the issue of district transportation.

Dr. Feirsen announced that an advertisement for a new principal at Garden City High School has run in The New York Times for three weeks and will run in the journal Education Week. A committee will be formed soon to screen potential candidates. Dr. Frank Banta has been serving as interim principal since the end of August.

Dr. Feirsen and the Board thanked the PTA for donating funds to purchase a SMARTBoard for Stratford School. The Board also approved the establishment of the Michael A. Scillitani, III Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to a high school senior who plans to pursue the study of music in college.