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BELLEFONTE -- The meeting came as the Bellefonte Area Education Association announced that 1,723 people had signed a community petition calling on Bellefonte Area School District leaders to negotiate in good faith for a new contract providing competitive pay for professional staff.
The BAEA released the petition numbers Tuesday as contract negotiations between the union and school district continue.
Of the 1,723 signatures, 934 were from Bellefonte Area School District residents, 295 were from residents of school districts located wholly or partly in Centre County, 273 were from supporters elsewhere in Pennsylvania and 221 were from supporters across the United States, according to the BAEA. The petition was launched around 3:30 p.m. Sept. 24.
"We're stunned and grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, from Pennsylvanians and from supporters across the country," said Kacie Montgomery. "As a Bellefonte teacher and parent, it means everything to know how many people stand with us."
The BAEA represents approximately 230 professional staff members at the Bellefonte Area School District. The union has notified the district that it will strike beginning Monday, Oct. 12, if an agreement is not reached on a new contract.
The union and district were scheduled to continue negotiations Tuesday afternoon and evening, with another session scheduled for Oct. 5. Negotiation dates also are being held for Oct. 10 and 11 if needed.
"We hope that the district hears the message from us and the community and prioritizes making real progress toward an agreement," said Allyson Durney, a Bellefonte Area Education Association member and history and government teacher at Bellefonte Area High School. "We're eager to see what they bring to the table at our next session, and hope to see movement that shows a real investment in staff and students."