Columbus teachers will meet with union leaders tonight to decide on whether it will accept or reject the school board's latest contract offer, as negotiations stalled in July. It could also vote to give 10 days notice of a teachers strike.
The vote comes as the school board filed a complaint to the Employment Relations Board on Wednesday. It says the Columbus Education Association spread misinformation about its latest contract offer.
“At no point did the Columbus education association misinform the public or anyone,” said union spokesperson Regina Fuentes.
Teachers have advocated for smaller class sizes, proper HVAC systems, higher salaries and benefits. The board said it included those details, but Fuentes said members have yet to see them.
“We're going to meet together, give them all of the information at the same time and give our members an opportunity to make a clear choice,” she said.
The union will present the board's offer to teachers at tonight's meeting. It hopes to return to negotiations with the board.
"We always speak as a voice, and we feel that the district is not doing its part to negotiate at the table in the best interest of our students," Fuentes said. "It's very sad that the district is choosing to litigate and try to gaslight instead of negotiate."
The meeting is Thursday, 6:00 p.m., at the Columbus Convention Center. It's closed to members only.