GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) — South Western City Schools and the South Western Education Association (SWEA) reached a tentative agreement Monday on a new labor contract.
The current contract is set to expire on June 30.
The district and the union had to bring in a mediator after they couldn’t come to an agreement before June 1.
A SWEA spokesperson said there were nine continuous hours of mediation on Monday before they reached an agreement. The spokesperson said in a statement that educators, community members and parents were very active during the negotiation process.
“This deal would not have been possible without the unprecedented levels of activism and unwavering support of our educators, parents, community members, and local businesses, all of whom played an integral role in the advancements SWEA’s bargaining team made at the table towards providing the high quality and supportive learning environment our students deserve,” Emmalee Hardin said.
“SWCS and the Board of Education commend the spirit of collaboration that led to this development which conceptually reaffirms our shared commitment to supporting the dedicated certificated staff members who shape our students’ futures each day,” a district spokesperson said in a statement.
SWEA said members will review the proposed contract and on July 10, the union will meet to recommend ratification of the agreement.
South Western’s Board of Education will then take a vote to approve it.
