Bargainers tentatively finalize MOU language, pause for caucus to resolve pay details

Agency official (S1) opened a bargaining session at 03:07 PM and circulated a merged memorandum of understanding combining language from both sides, saying he had "merged the 2" drafts to show the bill's purpose and background as quoted language. Meeting participant (S3) and others reviewed the changes and flagged three small areas of difference, then caucused twice to consult bargaining teams.

The session covered core elements of a teacher-compensation MOU tied to a referendum and the CTSIA/CTSI-related allocation. Agency official (S1) told participants the district had received guidance from the deputy commissioner of finance and operations and that the allocation "is not going to change," specifying the figure used in the draft as "2.1 to the cent." S3 said the parties removed prior fixed-employee counts and substituted language making the district's goal to "make every effort" to identify funds and to match or exceed CTSI allocations where feasible. Negotiators agreed to minor wording tweaks requested by S3 (changing "reasonable efforts" to "efforts," and "may be" to "are") and to exchange clean, signable copies without highlights before the next session.

The bargaining session produced no formal vote; instead, participants agreed on drafting edits and schedules for follow-up. Agency official (S1) said the district will present the CTSIA to the board for approval "pending unit ratification" and must provide a status update to the Department of Education. The parties confirmed a next bargaining meeting on August 5 at 4:00 PM to finalize outstanding items and set a ratification timeline.