Still no contract for Coudersport teachers

Teachers in the Coudersport Area School District completed an entire school year without a contract, as the impasse between their union and the school's board of directors continues.

They worked the recently completed school year under terms of a contract that expired back on June 30, 2006. Negotiations have still failed to produce a settlement, causing the matter to be referred to a Pa. Labor Relations Board fact-finder.

Next Thursday evening, the school board will meet in public session to take action on the fact-finders' recommendations. Details have not been made public. The meeting will be held at 6:00 in the high school's large group instruction room.

If either the school board or the teachers' union rejects the fact-finder's recommendations, the contract negotiations could be subject to arbitration. Teachers would also have the option of striking.

Once a new contract is ratified, the terms will be made retroactive to June 30, 2006.

Relations between the union and the administration have been strained for some time. Among the areas of contention is the district's decision to eliminate extended employment contracts under which a handful of teachers -- librarians, vocational agriculture and others -- worked through the summer months. That