Emily Goldberg ’12
Staff Writer 

After months of negotiations over teacher contracts, the town of Westport and the school teachers have agreed to disagree. Now it is up to a team of arbitrators to decide who’s right.

“It is always disheartening to know that neither side was able to find amicable ground together,” said social studies teacher Rob Rogers. “Everyone would rather an agreement to be reached than have to go to binding arbitration. It is just frustrating.”

A new contract is made for Westport Public Schools every three years. The current contract that was put into effect July 1, 2007, will expire on June 30, 2010.

The disagreement between the Board of Education (BOE) and Westport Education Association (WEA) for the new contract has resulted in binding arbitration.

Binding arbitration is when three arbitrators, or lawyers, settle the dispute between the two parties. At this point, neither party has a say in what is decided for the new contract besides what has been already suggested.

The arbitrators will choose the version of the contract that is most fair for both groups. In other words, it is all or nothing for both sides.

Therefore, each group wants its proposed contract to benefit its needs in the most ways, yet still seem fair enough to win approval of the arbitrators.

BOE Secretary Faith Taylor said the board is trying its best to balance the needs of the teachers and town of Westport.

“We are committed to a contract that is fair to our teachers and fair to the
taxpayers in Westport,” Taylor said.

Tension continues to rise as more time passes without a final decision. For example, teachers will worry about pay for next year. Planning for the upcoming year causes anxiety for certain teachers as they do not yet know what their financial situation may be.

Some teachers are already taking precautions and cutting back.

English teacher Jesse Bauks explained that he had to defer enrollment in graduate school because he was currently paying out of pocket and may or may not have the money next year depending on what the new contract will provide for teachers.

Bauks added that childcare and insurance are two things that quite a number of teachers are concerned about with their current financial uncertainty.

Taylor added that the BOE’s ideas for the new contract most definitely keep the teacher’s best interest in mind.

“No one values the work of our teachers more than the Board of Education,” Taylor said.

One of the BOE’s top priorities is to attract and maintain a top–notch teaching staff. However, some new teachers may be drawn away from Westport schools if salaries decrease.

According to Rogers, current teachers may decide to teach elsewhere if other schools better fit their financial needs.

Part of the negotiating process also includes strict rules about what can and cannot be talked about outside of meetings.

“This protects the
integrity
of the process and prevents the spread of misinformation and hearsay,” Taylor said.

Some teachers find it frustrating that they must abide by the so-called “gag” rule, which means they cannot discuss negotiation issues with parents or students, even if they may be affected by the contract changes.

“I feel that I am not just an advocate for my self-interest but for my students,” English teacher Anne Fernandez said.

“Negotiations between school boards and teachers’ unions often include issues that affect how much time teachers spend with students, the nature of that time, teacher/student ratios, and other issues that don’t just affect teachers,” she added.

Nearing the end of the negotiating period, both sides continue to discuss their views and hope to reach an agreement soon.