Pulaski School Unions Approve Tentative Contract

Weeks of tension was replaced Saturday by smiles and handshakes. The Pulaski School District and union leaders finally came to terms on a contract. "We put in a lot of hours and we`ve reached an agreement that the District is happy with and we`re happy with," says Deen Minton, president of the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers." The Teacher`s new contract is worth about $2.5 million and runs for three years. Support staff will receive a one year contract worth about $1.5 million. Assistant Superintendent admits the money was a major sticking point even though the unions said otherwise. "We pretty much agreed on the financials and salary issues," says Sharpe. "That`s the change. the process is now complete." Negotiations heated up after the teachers union accused administrators of withholding budget numbers. Minton stands by that statement "I would not have gotten up in public and made those statements had they not been true," she says." Those statements led to re-negotiations which lead to a partial agreement Friday night. On Saturday, union reps finalized that contract. Even though union leaders are pleased with the end result, it`s not over yet. Teachers and support staff are slated to vote on the new contract on Sunday. --Filed by Dave Jordan