ARTICLE XI – NEGOTIATION PROCEDURES
11.01 Initiation of Procedures
A written request for a negotiation meeting, stating the subject matter to be considered, as provided in Article 2.03 and 14.02 shall be submitted by the President or by the Superintendent.
Meetings between the AEA and the Superintendent shall be scheduled outside the regular school day, at an agreed upon time and place.
The parties shall convene their initial negotiating session within five (5) work days after March 1, 2006.
11.02 Negotiating Committees
The AEA shall designate a committee of five (5) members or fewer and the Superintendent on behalf of the Board shall designate a committee of five (5) members or fewer for the purpose of conducting negotiations. The aforementioned shall be members of the professional staff or members of the Board.
The Board and the AEA shall designate, prior to the first negotiating session, their respective chief negotiators.
11.03 Good Faith
Both parties shall make every effort to conclude negotiations satisfactorily through the foregoing steps within forty five (45) work days from the time of their initial negotiating session.
In addition to the committees of the parties referred to in Section 11.02, either party may use such consultants, in negotiation sessions, as it may deem necessary. The identity of the consultants, and the intent to use said consultants, must be provided to the other party at least three (3) work days in advance of such use.
During the process of negotiations, only such information as is mutually agreed upon in writing shall be distributed or given to the new media.
The chairman of either committee may recess his committee for independent caucus at any time.
In recognition that negotiation is a shared process, all parties shall negotiate in “Good Faith”. “Good Faith” requires that the AEA and the Board representatives be willing to react to each other’s proposals; if a proposal should prove unacceptable to one (1) of the parties, that party is obligated to give its reasons therefore. In case of disagreement, procedures outlined in Article XIII will be in effect.
11.04 Furnishing Information
The Board and the Superintendent agree to furnish the AEA on request all compiled available information concerning the financial resources of the district and any other public data that will assist the AEA in helping to develop intelligent, accurate and constructive programs on behalf of the members, the students and the educational program.