001I am Dr. Stokes, the superintendent for Gary Community Schools Corporation. And with me, I have Mrs. Clint Dunham, president of Gary Teachers Union, local number four. >> And we want to open up the public hearing for our beginning of formal bargaining. Pursuant to Indiana code 20-29-6-1B, we have to have this opening before we start formal bargaining of our teacher collective agreement. This is by the board and the teachers exclusive representative the of the Gary Teachers Union. The current collective bargaining agreement expired on June 30th, 2025 and formal negotiations will begin no earlier than September 15th per state law. for the audience or anyone who's listening. The only items which can be bargained are salaries, wages, and wage related benefits. Um, with that, if there's anyone who wants to provide any testimony at this hearing, and
002I'm going to turn over to Mrs. Dunham. Um, they're going to be recognized by saying their name, giving their address, and any comments, but you have to limit your comments to three minutes per our policy. So, I just want to say good morning again and I am Glenny Vunham, the exclusive bargaining representative for Gary Teachers Union Local 4 AFT. Um, we're coming off of a two-year contract and so I just want to say we're here because the state statute says that we have to do this. We know the bargaining window is between September 15th and 15th and uh this will be the seventh administration in a row that we bargain with. So, we're looking for a session of good faith bargaining. Thank you. >> And I want have some comments as well. I want to
003say we look forward to working with our teachers at such a time as this. We know how important they are and where possible, we want to make sure that we can give a wage that's suitable for the service that they provide to our children. Um while it is not part of collective bargaining, we have already made steps to give our teachers um supplemental pay which is not a part of bargaining but we do want to go on record saying that. With that um Crystal, do we have anybody who is out? >> No comments on. >> Okay, receiving comments we will now officially close this meeting. All right. >> Thank you.