The District’s labor contract with its teachers is set to expire on June 30, 2010. With that in mind, the District began negotiations with the Putnam Valley Federation of Teachers (PVFT) in March of this year. There was some concern expressed as to why negotiating did not commence earlier in the year but given the state of our economy and the lack of a state budget proposal other than Governor Paterson’s, the District felt it would be unwise to negotiate any sooner.

Representatives from both the District and the PVFT met three times in March and twice in April. On May 5, 2010, negotiators for the PVCSD declared an impasse in the contract negotiations with the PVFT. The Board of Education negotiators did so because they believed in light of the recession and its financial burden on the local economy, the PVFT proposals were financially unaffordable. Shortly after the BOE’s declaration of impasse, the PVFT agreed to file a joint declaration of impasse and a mediator has been selected to work with both sides in negotiating a contract.

“While we value our teachers and the work they do, our school board deemed it necessary and appropriate to take a conservative approach in the negotiations”, said Superintendent Dr. Marc Space. It is expected that the mediator will meet with both sides in the coming weeks.

For more information, contact:

Maureen Bellino
District Clerk & Secretary to Dr. Marc Space, Superintendent
(845) 528-8143, ext. 1367