We now know the timeline of events following the return of South Butler teachers to classes next week.
According to a negotiations update issued by the South Butler County School Board, once the strike is over on Tuesday, April 3, both parties will be required to participate in Final Best-Offer arbitration.
That process will begin with the selection of an arbitrator from a list of seven candidates that each side will take turns reducing one by one. Each side will also select one representative to serve as a member of the three-person arbitration panel along with the arbitrator.
Each side will then submit their final-best contract offer along with necessary documentation, which will be posted in the district’s main office in order to solicit public comments. Those comments will be considered by the arbitrators, along with arguments from representatives of both sides about their final-best offers.
The arbitrators will then spend no more than 20 days examining each item of dispute and making a written determination. Both the School Board and teachers then have up to 10 days to reject the determination. If not, an agreement is reached. If so, the teachers may choose to go on strike again.
The teachers went on strike on March 15 after working without a current contract for more than three years. Since the strike, no agreement has been reached with the school board.
The state is mandating the teachers return to the classroom next week so students can receive the required 180 days of instruction by June 15.
