A representative of the Palmetto Aerospace Teachers Association (PATA) told the Palmetto Aerospace Academy board on Wednesday the association has filed reopeners focused on compensation, health-and-wellness benefits and work-day/work-year language and asked the board to confirm bargaining dates in September and October.

The representative thanked the board for placing the association’s speaking slot early in the meeting and described reopeners as items that would benefit students, teachers and the academy. "Our bargaining team is optimistic that these negotiations could be concluded within the first semester," the representative said, urging the board to confirm dates quickly because the association’s bargaining staff work with multiple districts.

The speaker asked the academy and the association to "move in lockstep" on negotiations and mentioned a contract requirement to form a PAR (peer assistance and review) committee and a health committee as opportunities for ongoing collaboration. The association representative said the committees present "a great opportunity for the academy and the association to collaborate and do some really good work on behalf of the teachers" and that the association is "ready to engage in these projects."

Discussion: the item was presented by the association during the public comment/employee organizations portion of the meeting; board members acknowledged the request and no formal bargaining dates were recorded in the transcript. Staff said September and October dates had been offered to the association and staff were awaiting the academy's response.

Decision/direction: the association asked the board to solidify bargaining dates for reopeners; no formal board action to set dates is recorded in the provided transcript. The association expressed optimism that negotiations could wrap within the semester if meeting dates are scheduled promptly.

Ending: The association thanked district leaders for visible engagement in the first days of school and praised professional-development events and new-teacher orientation.