The purpose of this message is for the Board of Education of Frederick County (Board) to update our employees and the community regarding the status of negotiations between the Board, the Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (FCASA), the Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE), and the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA). The Board was very pleased to come to settlement with FCASA on June 23, 2021, which included providing FCASA employees with a step and 1.5% COLA. The Board has reached tentative agreement with FASSE and is scheduled to ratify at its July 14, 2021, meeting.
Today, the Board and FCTA reached the point of impasse with negotiations. The negotiating teams for the Board and FCTA have been in negotiations since January and, despite best efforts to reach settlement, the parties were unable to do so.
The Board feels that it has presented a generous and highly competitive offer in negotiations and has made significant concessions throughout the negotiations process. This offer reflects the value and appreciation this Board has for the work of educators. The Board greatly values and appreciates the important role that teachers play every day in the development and success of our students.
After the Public School Labor Relations Board (PSLRB) issues its declaration of impasse, the parties will proceed with mediation and, if necessary, arbitration. The Board has participated in this process before and remains eager to settle and optimistic that such process will prove beneficial in assisting the Board and FCTA in reaching settlement.
We remain hopeful that we will all move forward in the best interests of our students, the FCPS community, and rewarding the great work of our educators.