Labor Relations

January 2026 Update Regarding the Impasse Hearing Scheduling

Dear Educators,

You may have recently received communication from the Collier County Education Association (CCEA) regarding the scheduling of the upcoming impasse hearing. The District believes it is important to provide you with complete and accurate information so that you can draw your own conclusions.

The Bargaining Process Has Been Open and Transparent

Throughout this process, the District and CCEA have bargained in public meetings on 14 separate occasions. Meeting links are on the District Labor Relations page (Meeting Replays and Budget Hearings). Both parties have exchanged proposals and counter-proposals in good faith. Several of these same proposals, which have been publicly available, will be reviewed by Special Magistrate Edward Gutman during the hearing. The special magistrate was selected, approved and mutually agreed upon by both parties. There is nothing new or hidden about what will be discussed. Again, these are the same issues that have been openly debated throughout the bargaining process.

The Scheduling Discussion Was About Logistics, Not Exclusion

The suggestion that the District "fought aggressively to prevent teacher participation" mischaracterizes what occurred during the scheduling conference. The District proposed starting times during business hours to accommodate the Special Magistrate, who is being compensated on an hourly basis. Beginning the hearing earlier in the day would have allowed for more efficient use of hearing time and reduced costs to both sides. 

As a result of the current schedule, the Special Magistrate will now be present in Collier County during the day on Thursday, February 26 and waiting on the clock until 4:00pm start time and on Friday, February 27, waiting on the clock until the 2:00pm start time. This will result in additional expenses that could have been avoided with an earlier start time.

The Hearing Will Be Accessible

The District and CCEA have agreed to live stream the hearing for anyone who wishes to watch the proceedings, but for those unable to watch live, the recording will be placed on the Labor Relations page of the District website. This means that all educators will have the opportunity to watch the proceedings regardless of whether they can attend in person. These hearings are not adversarial proceedings with audience participation. They are presentations of the same proposals that have been publicly available throughout the bargaining process with data on why each side believes they are more reasonable.

There Is No Fight-There Is a Legitimate Disagreement

The District and CCEA have a legitimate disagreement on financial matters and contract language. This is well known to all teachers who have followed the bargaining process. The impasse procedure exists precisely for situations like this, where the parties have been unable to reach agreement through negotiations. The Special Magistrate will review both sides' positions and make recommendations well after the hearing is over. If either side rejects the recommendation there will be a public hearing before the School Board who will resolve the disputed issues if any remain. 

Your Elected Representatives Are There to Bargain on Your Behalf

Teachers elected union officers to represent their interests at the bargaining table. The District has respected that process and believed that the same officers had the necessary information to proceed to an impasse hearing at 9:00am. The characterization that the District stated certain issues "weren't important to teachers" does not reflect the District's position. Again, the audience does not add to the proposals. Your elected representatives are the appropriate parties to negotiate on your behalf.

The District remains committed to reaching a fair resolution through the impasse process and appreciates the dedication of our educators.