The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will assist a Michigan school district whose teachers started the school year without a current contract.  Deerfield Public Schools, also known as Public School District 109 in Michigan, has reached an impasse with educators regarding salary and working conditions.  The district is currently in operation, but teachers are uncomfortable to be working while their contract terms are not fully settled.  The district has arranged for a mediation attorney from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to sit in on all bargaining sessions in the near future.  The education mediation sessions are expected to resume in late September.

Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to Overcome Impasse

It is hoped that the presence of a neutral third party such as a professional mediation attorney will help the two sides find some common ground.  Based on recent history, this may be difficult.  The Deerfield Education Association, representing the teachers has been in contract negotiation talks with the district since last April, but this was not enough lead time for a contract to be ready in advance of the new school year.  

Also attending these talks were representatives of the statewide teachers' union, the Illinois Education Association.  At issue were several areas of concern including the provision of appropriate educational services to children who need specialized instruction due to physical, cognitive, or emotional disabilities.