Contract Agreement Reached in Altamont, School Will Be in Session Thursday

A tentative contract agreement has been reached between teachers and the school board in Altamont, and there will be school in Altamont on Thursday.

The tentative agreement was announced about 8:30pm Wednesday by Altamont Education Association President Mike Delaney.  Altamont School Board President Jim Holland confirmed the announcement moments later.

(AN ALTAMONT STUDENT THANKS A-E-A PRESIDENT MIKE DELANEY {left} AFTER THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WAS ANNOUNCED)

The sides bargained for close to three hours Wednesday night, facing a deadline imposed when teachers voted to begin a strike on Thursday if an agreement was not in place.

Delaney and Holland both said that each side compromised to reach the agreement, which is for one year.  No details on the tentative agreement were announced, nor are they likely to be released until teachers vote on the proposal in the next few days.  Holland said the Board would vote on the proposal at their next regular meeting.

(ALTAMONT TEACHERS AND SUPPORTERS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC GATHERED OUTSIDE THE ALTAMONT UNIT OFFICES WHILE WAITING ON RESULTS OF THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT NEGOTIATIONS)

Delaney said, "We are pleased that we were able to come to an agreement and look forward to the rest of the school year educating the students at Altamont."  Both Delaney and Holland mentioned the prospect of no school as being a motivator in reaching the agreement.