Arbitration over Jefferson Parish teacher layoffs begins
Published: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 7:49 AM Updated: Thursday, February 23, 2012, 10:16 AM
The Jefferson Parish School Board and Jefferson Federation of teachers start arbitration today over the union's claim that teacher layoffs last summer violated its collective bargaining agreement with the board. Union President Meladie Munch said the proceedings will begin about 9 a.m. and are likely to last one or two days.
Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie MunchThe two sides then will wait for the arbitrator, James Sherman, to form a decision upholding the layoffs or reinstating the teachers.
The central dispute is over the board's decision to add job performance reviews as the first factor in determining who gets cut in a layoff, ahead of the traditional approach of