An impasse was declared on January 22 between NEA Espanola and the Espanaola school distrist after a series of breakdowns in negotiations that led to both sides declaring an impasse. A mediator from the federal Mediation and Conciliation Service through the state labor board will become part of the process to reach agreement. Mediation sessions began on February 12.
The two sides couldn't reach agreement over teachers’ stipends and Association rights. The District has paid $68,781 to the controversial firm of John Martinez, the district's representative for negotiations. NEA-Espanola claims that the amount of money spent for Martinez and Management Associates would have resulted in a $1,000 raise for each of the District’s cooks and custodians.
The district says it needs the expertise Martinez provides and that its use of Management Associates is not an "adversarial" move."
Both sides are optimistic about the prospect of mediation. If agreement isn't reached after a month of mediation, state law provides for both sides to jointly appoint an arbitrator, who would resolve the conflict by choosing one of the two parties’ best, final offer. The arbitrator’s ruling is final and binding.
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