Five years ago we celebrated, not only all of the new things we won in the teachers’ contract but all of the things that we protected as well.  Initial meetings for negotiations have started, and we hope to establish ground rules at tonight’s meeting.  Negotiation meetings will start at 4-8pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting next week. Meeting locations will be announced on Monday.  We hope the board will work in earnest to negotiate in good faith so that we can have a good contract in place.  We were able to pull thru the current contract because teachers and parents actively participated in fighting for what’s best for our teachers and students.  It’s important that we have as many teachers and parents involved in the current negotiations so that we can ensure good working conditions for our teachers which in turn will benefit our children.