Mediator Called in for Gilbert Contract Negotiations

WINSTED — Representatives from the Winchester Board of Education and the W.L. Gilbert School Corporation agree at least on one thing: that the differences between them are too great to be resolved without a mediator.

Both sides had previously stated that mediation would be necessary if an agreement was not reached by the end of December. Seeing no hope for that, the two boards agreed Dec. 19 to seek outside help in conducting their contract negotiations.

The current 10-year agreement is set to expire June 30 of this year. And though progress has been made in several areas, some major concerns have yet to be resolved.

"The mediator has a lot of work to do," Blaise A. Salerno, superintendent for the Winchester Board of Education, said. "There are issues that are difficult for both parties. Some, we feel, can be resolved quickly, but the issues of governance and control of the fiscal process are very difficult."

"I’m optimistic, but there are some rather substantial issues on which we disagree,"Gilbert Superintendent David A. Cressy said. "It will take creativity, as well as some movement on both sides," in order for the talks to succeed.

Both parties have been actively seeking candidates to serve as professional mediator when the talks recommence. Cressy said that as of Wednesday, a mediator had been named: M. Jackson Webber will supervise the groups’ next meeting, scheduled for Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at The Gilbert School.

Salerno said there is no ill-will amongst the participants of the negotiation.

"On a personal level we continue to be friends," he said of his relationship with Cressy. "But on a professional level we realize we both have our positions to represent, and that it’s never personal."

Salerno said the heat generated during the contract negotiations will likely subside once an agreement is reached.

"Negotiations generally tend to play up the differences," he said. "In the negotiation process, what you’re always hearing and seeing are the differences between the parties. Once you get a settlement you go back to business as usual."

Of late, there has been some friction on the Winchester school board, as differences of opinion on the way the contract negotiations have taken place led to heated discussions on more than one occasion. Still, Salerno said he has faith in the dedication of all concerned to act on behalf of the children of Winsted.

"There is, historically, a great commitment in this community toward The Gilbert School," Salerno said, acknowledging the persistent efforts of school board secretary Cheryl Bartley and Selectman Russel Buchner to keep the contract negotiations open to the public. "What they’re trying to do is play up these things that need to be changed."

But he said that while there are two sides to the issue, he sees the efforts of Buchner and Bartley as something of a double-edged sword.

"It does make it more difficult at times, but there are some benefits," he said. "Let me say this: I don’t think there is a single person in this community who wants to hurt the children, or harm the learning process."

"It’s going to be tough," Salerno said. "Nobody ever walks away from a mediation session completely satisfied. But I’m always hopeful."