Central Greene board hears concerns about lack of contract
WAYNESBURG — Frustration continues to mount over the failure of the Central Greene Education Association and the school board to reach agreement on a new contract with the district’s professional staff.
Teachers have been working under the existing collective bargaining agreement for the last 399 days, and the inability of the two sides to reach a negotiated labor settlement, which has become contentious at times, was addressed mostly with civility at Tuesday’s Central Greene School Board’s meeting.
Bethany Henry, who lives in the Central Greene district but who teaches in Washington County, castigated the board for engaging in what she referred to as “careless spending,” citing program cuts and a “questionable” land purchase.
“Teachers are in year two without a contract,” she said, and told the board the teachers have the community on their side.
Mark Cramer addressed the board as a concerned parent, and asked what was the status of the negotiations.
“We are still negotiating,” board President Andrew Corfont responded.
When pressed for details, Corfont declined, saying the board meeting was not the appropriate forum to discuss particulars of the negotiations.
Melissa Wilson, president of the CGEA, urged the board to complete the negotiation process and resolve the contract soon.
Wilson also said when asked by media about the status of the negotiations, “it will never be a ‘no comment.’ My comment will be ‘we need a contract,'” she said.
Once the public comment period concluded, the board approved the first reading of six policies – allowability of costs, cash management, travel reimbursement, conflict of interest, acceptable use of communications and social media.
Superintendent Brian Uplinger said these policies fall within the Pennsylvania School Board Association approved policies.
The board approved agreements with Greene County Human Services for the Student Assistance Program Liason and for the Comprehensive Drug and Alcohol Program. Also approved was an agreement with SPHS CARE Center for drug abuse/addiction or alcohol abuse/addiction referral services.
In personnel matters, the board tabled an administration recommendation to name Peter Rameas, retired Margaret Bell Middle School principal, as a day-to-day substitute principal at a daily rate of $333.
The school board did, however, approve the hiring of Ashley Depew as a temporary Spanish teacher at the high school, and John Yates as a seventh- and eighth-grade assistant boys soccer coach.