Settle Archbold School Contract Issue

The recent announcement that negotiations between the Archbold Area School Board and the Archbold Education Association have reached an impasse is disturbing.

To think that university-trained educators and community leaders who are mindful of youth can't come together on the issues of wages and benefits after months of negotiations is disappointing. It's not the proper lesson to send students.

School board members recently decided to release some details about the talks, and the education association was upset with the decision.

Of course, no one wants negotiations through dueling press releases, with the two sides making accusations back and forth. Thankfully, that hasn't happened.

But the public has a right to know what's going on in the talks. Schools are supported by tax dollars. The taxpaying public has a vital interest in knowing how dollars are spent.

The talks now go to fact-finding, a long and expensive procedure that won't produce a binding agreement. If either side rejects the fact-finder report, Arthur J. Marziale, Jr., executive director of the State Employment Relations Board, said, "The possibility of a strike exists."

Nobody wants that.

A strike by district teachers will cost the district thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands, of dollars, plus whatever goodwill is left between the parties involved. It will hurt the schools, the community, and innocent children. There will be no winners, only losers.

Everyone wants a fair and equitable contract that keeps in mind current economic realities.

Both sides should return to the negotiating table without delay.

It's time to get the job done.