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Public commenter urges collaborative talks, fair pay in MSD collective-bargaining hearing
Summary
At a public hearing on collective bargaining, a commenter thanked district leadership for recent goodwill and urged a contract that provides competitive pay, protects classroom funding and improves working conditions to retain teachers amid state funding uncertainty.
An unidentified public commenter told attendees at a public hearing on collective bargaining that negotiations should be collaborative and result in fair, competitive pay for teachers.
“This isn't just about bargaining for a new teacher's contract. It's about building a stronger future for our students and our community,” the commenter said, thanking “Dr. Weidnofer and his team” for recent goodwill and improved openness between teachers and the administration. The speaker emphasized that the district and teachers have developed trust that enables problems to be resolved through dialogue.
The commenter argued the new contract must be “employee friendly” and include fair compensation “competitive with neighboring districts” so that MSD Steuben County can retain current teachers and attract new ones. The speaker said the district has “seen far too many [teachers] leave the district in recent years” and urged negotiators to prioritize classroom resources while remaining responsible stewards of public funds.
Noting uncertainty created by the state legislature’s actions on school funding, the commenter said negotiations should proceed within those fiscal constraints but still protect working conditions and professional growth. “Beyond compensation, the contract must also include language that clearly demonstrates our profound respect for every teacher's contribution,” the speaker said, calling for contract provisions that support collegiality between teachers and administration.
After the public comment, the hearing chair thanked the speaker and asked for further remarks; none were offered. A motion to adjourn was made and seconded in the final segments of the provided transcript, but no vote or formal adjournment appears in the excerpt.
The record provided contains public comment and procedural motions; it does not include details of scheduled negotiation sessions, proposed contract language, formal proposals, or votes on terms. Additional meetings or negotiation sessions would determine any formal outcomes.
