Board votes to add executive session on collective bargaining with teachers' association

The South Portland School Board voted to add a second executive session during the Sept. 8 meeting to receive a confidential update on collective bargaining with the South Portland Teachers Association (SPTA).

Chair Tandy Ratliff moved that the board add the executive session to the agenda “to update the board on the confidential labor negotiations with the SPTA.” A board member seconded the motion and the chair said the motion carried with all members voting in favor.

The board cited Maine statute 1 MRSA §405(6)(D) as the authority for holding a closed session to discuss collective bargaining strategy. Later in the meeting the board also voted to enter executive session under 1 MRSA §405(6)(A) for a separate personnel discussion; that action was recorded as a subsequent motion and vote to convene the closed meeting.

No substantive bargaining details were disclosed in public session. The board’s votes to add and then to hold limited executive sessions were procedural actions to allow confidential discussion consistent with state law.