Section 1 - Next Negotiation. Not later than the third Monday in March of the expiration year of this Agreement the Parties will begin the negotiation process in accordance with state law for the purpose of reaching a subsequent agreement.

Section 2 - Scheduling. Negotiations shall take place at mutually agreeable times and places within five (5) workdays of a request by either Party.

Section 3 - Representatives. The District and the Association may discharge their respective negotiating duties by means of authorized officers, individual representatives, or committees.

A. The Association shall designate representatives who shall receive released time without loss of compensation or sick leave to attend negotiation and/or impasse proceedings. Released time shall be in full-day increments. One hundred (100) unit member work days shall be available for such purposes. Additional days may be granted as needed.

B. Association representatives who attend a full-day negotiation session that continues beyond 10:00 p.m. shall receive a released day without loss of compensation or sick leave on the day following the session unless it is a non-scheduled work day.

Section 5 - Agendas. The agenda for each session shall be developed by the two spokespersons. Either Party may withdraw any item from the agenda for one (1) session in which case it shall be moved to the next session's agenda.

Section 6 - Observers or Substitutes. Either Party shall give notice the day prior to the presence of any observer, substitute or consultant at a bargaining session.

Section 7 - Outside Aids. Either Party may use the services of outside consultants, stenographers and/or audio/visual equipment to assist in the negotiations. However, no mechanical or electronic record of negotiations may be made.

Section 8 - Public Documents. The District will provide the Association with a copy of any public document requested by the Association which might be useful in the negotiation process. A charge not to exceed the actual cost of reproduction may be levied.

Section 9 - Salary Placement. If requested, the District shall furnish the Association with the February placement of all personnel on the Basic Certificated Salary Schedule. In addition, the District in May shall furnish the Association with the projected placement of all unit members for the following year.

Section 10 - Proposals. Any proposal of a substantial nature that was not included as part of an initial proposal may be excluded from current negotiations by the other Party.

Section 11 - News Releases. All public news releases shall be made jointly except after completion of impasse procedure. This does not preclude either Party from routinely communicating with its constituency.

Section 12 - Tentative Agreements. Tentative Agreement will be reached on each Article. A tentative agreement means that the Article is completed unless an obvious error is made. Tentative Agreements will only apply to written proposals. Tentative Agreements will be signed or initialed and dated by both spokespersons.

Section 13 - Ratification. After tentative agreement on the entire Agreement, it will be subject to ratification by the Association and the Board of Education. Each Party will make a good faith effort to secure ratification by its constituents. The Association will seek ratification first.

A. Structure. The Parties agree to establish a Contract Management Committee composed of the Superintendent and the Association President or their designees plus up to two (2) additional representatives each.

B. Purpose. The purpose of the committee shall be to meet to resolve issues related to the Agreement which may arise during the term of this Agreement.

C. Authority. The committee’s authority to resolve Agreement issues is subject to ratification by the Association and the District.

D. Meeting Schedule. Meeting times and locations shall be by mutual agreement.

E. Communications. Minutes of meetings shall be kept and distributed, as each Party deems appropriate.