KENORA – The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board (KPDSB) and the Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO) have reached a tentative settlement regarding designated Early Childhood Educators.
Although details of the settlement are still being heavily guarded until all parties ratify the agreement, director of education Christy Radborne is hopeful that it will meet everybody's needs.
“In negotiations, there's always some give and take, but we feel it's a very positive agreement for some of our most important employees and our board. So, we're pretty excited about it,” said Radborne.
She explained that negotiations between KPDSB union partners and ETFO were a lengthy process, but called the experience positive.
KPDSB currently employs 21 permanent ECEs, as well as, 160 casual ECEs that specialize in specific areas throughout their schools.
“They're absolutely critical to our earliest learners and a successful start for every child who comes into school. They are a true partnership with our educators, our kindergarten partners, and our instruction classes. They bring to the field expertise, particularly with early childhood development which is necessary as we design purposeful instruction. We certainly could not make it without them. They are an integral part of the child's learning if they come to school and often the very first educators they encounter,” Radborne stated.
She expects the ratification of the settlement agreement to happen at the next board meeting on January 9, 2024.
