Updated 2/8/2023 to reflect feedback from WEA about dates.

Mediation [n]: the attempt to settle a legal dispute through active participation of a third party (mediator) who works to find points of agreement and make those in conflict agree on a fair result. Mediation differs from arbitration, in which the third party (arbitrator) acts much like a judge in an out-of-court, less formal setting but does not actively participate in the discussion.  – Law.com Dictionary

As referred to in last night’s Community Forum with Weston Educators, and further explained on the Weston School Committee facebook page, the next step now for the ongoing negotiations between School Committee and the Weston Education Association is mediation. According to the School Committee page, the mediator’s proposed dates of February 22-23 and March 23 were accepted by School Committee. The WEA is reviewing them since the proposal arrived during their workday when they were with our children. Since the first two dates fall within February break which is one of the times when school teachers get established vacation, it might be difficult for them to be available, given plans have been made a long time ago. Also, airlines are. a pain in the ***, except for you dear AA, please do not boot me from my aisle seat. Oh wait, I’m not going anywhere.

I am hopeful that those “points of agreement” will be found, and a resolution satisfactory to all will be reached. This is really hard stuff, and we should all be thankful to our elected School Committee volunteers as well as our teachers for working on this important next step. I have no doubt that everyone involved is exhausted and drained from this process.

Thank you all for doing what is best for the students, the families, the teachers, and the residents of this town.

Go ‘cats!