Negotiations Between PWTA and District in 'Serious Discussions'

Heading to the polls on Tuesday for the school budget vote, Port Washington residents following the issues know some guidance and library services may be on the chopping block. Yet Patch has just learned that negotiations between the Port Washington Teachers Association and the Board of Education are continuing.

At recent Board meetings over cuts to the district, but Dr. Geoffrey Gordon, Superintendent of Port Washington Schools, has said that he was trying to find a way to maintain the current guidance and library staffing.

No word yet on the exact nature of the current negotiations, but they are being described as in the “delicate stage.”

Here is the full statement released by the Port Washington School District. 

"Pursuant to ongoing negotiations over the past year, the Port Washington Teachers Association and Board of Education are in serious discussions over a substantive counterproposal offered by the PWTA.  While the negotiations are at a delicate stage, the counterproposal continues the tradition of BOE and Port Washington teachers sensitivity to the community and the economic challenges of our time including the unfunded state mandates.  Superintendent of Schools Dr. Geoffrey N. Gordon commended the PWTA leadership and BOE for their continuing efforts to help the students and community, and specifically cited the counterproposal from the teachers association offered on May 13 as very hopeful and encouraging.  Moreover he stated that the PWTA has worked cooperatively with the BOE in the best interests of students, its membership and the community since the intitiation of the negotiated agreement last year, and exemplifies why he is both grateful and humbled to have the privilege of working with the most dedicatedd group of teachers in his long career."

Patch will continue to follow this story.