Union says administration declared impasse after three sessions; FFNEA urges board to honor successor-agreement provision

A representative of the Ferguson Florissant National Education Association (FFNEA) told the board that negotiations with the district have deteriorated and accused the administration of declaring an impasse prematurely.

The FFNEA speaker said administrators had told union leaders that "the relationship between the board and FFNEA has to start from scratch," and said the administration’s demand to "abrogate our agreement and start over" violated Article 3, Section 2 of the parties’ collective bargaining agreement. The union representative said the successor agreement provision exists to protect stability and continuity for students and staff and argued that walking away after three sessions—when five sessions had been agreed—was effectively a refusal to negotiate.

The FFNEA speaker cited turnover in district leadership since 2022 (multiple HR directors, CFOs and superintendents) and said the union and staff have been the continuity that sustained the district through crises. "Trust is rebuilt by honoring your word. The agreement is in writing. Honor it," the FFNEA representative said.

Superintendent Dr. Fields responded that negotiations were ongoing and that the district is "pro teacher" and "pro union for all staff," and he said he was willing to continue conversations. He did not dispute the union’s characterization at length during the meeting but emphasized that the process would continue and that the district is committed to telling the full truth about negotiations.

The board did not take immediate action on the labor dispute during the meeting; the FFNEA representative requested the board honor the collective-bargaining procedures and finish the school year in a way that preserves classroom stability.