Board names John Siedor as chief negotiator for upcoming union contract talks

The Fairbanks North Star Borough School District board voted on Sept. 16 to name John Siedor as the board's chief negotiator for upcoming collective bargaining with the Education Support Staff Association and the Fairbanks Education Association. The motion, "Move to name John Siedor as chief negotiator for the school board and its negotiations with the Education Support Staff Association and the Fairbanks Education Association," was moved, seconded and carried by roll call. Nut graf: The board said Siedor's experience with collective bargaining will help the district begin negotiations for contracts that expire June 30, 2026, and the district intends to start bargaining in the second semester with a goal of resolving terms before the contract expiration. Reasons and timeline: Dr. Meinert said Siedor has prior experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and that the district's new chief human resources officer lacks that negotiation background; naming an experienced negotiator is intended to support efficient bargaining. The district noted the typical timeline is to start negotiations in the second semester and to aim to conclude by spring so the board can account for negotiated outcomes in next year's budget. Budget and legal notes: Board members asked whether costs for negotiations were included in the current budget; district staff said legal services costs are variable and the current budget is expected to suffice but the total cost will depend on negotiation length. The board discussed using interest‑based or collaborative bargaining approaches. Vote: Miss Richardson called the roll; the transcript records all present members voting yes. There was no public testimony on the item. The board then moved on to other business.