SECTION B - PROCEDURE

1. Step One

An attempt shall be made to resolve any grievance in informal, verbal discussion between those involved. When requested by the Teacher, an association grievance committee member may accompany the Teacher to assist in such informal resolution of the grievance. Prior to the meeting, the teacher shall inform the administrator that the meeting is to be Step One of the grievance process.

2. Step Two

The written grievance shall state the remedy requested. Such grievance shall be submitted within twenty (20) days of the occurrence giving rise to the grievance or of the date when such occurrence might reasonably have been ascertained. The Grievant will present the grievance, in writing, to the Principal or designee who will arrange for a meeting to take place within ten (10) days after receipt of the grievance. The Principal shall provide a written answer to the aggrieved Teacher and the Association within ten (10) days after the meeting.

3. Step Three

If the grievance is not resolved at Step Two, then the Grievant or the Association may refer the grievance to the Superintendent or designee within six (6) days after receipt of the Step Two answer or within ten (10) days after the Step Two meeting, whichever is later. The Superintendent shall arrange for a meeting to take place within eight (8) days of his receipt of the grievance. Each party shall have the right to include in its representation such witnesses and counselors as it deems necessary to develop facts pertinent to the grievance. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the Superintendent or designee shall have ten (10) days to file a written decision with the Grievant and the Association.

4. Step Four

In the event a grievance has not been satisfactorily resolved at the Third Step, the grievant shall file, within ten (10) working days of the Superintendent's written decision or answer at the third step, a copy of the grievance with the Board of Education. Within ten (10) working days after such grievance is filed, the aggrieved, Association representative of the aggrieved if desired, the Superintendent and the Board shall meet to hear the grievance. The Board shall file an answer within ten (10) working days of the Fourth Step grievance meeting and communicate it in writing to the teacher, the Principal, the Superintendent and the Association.

5. Step Five

If the Association is not satisfied with the disposition of a grievance at Step Four, or if the time limits expire without the issuance of the Superintendent's and/or Board President's written reply, the Association may, within thirty (30) days, submit in writing a demand for impartial, binding arbitration. The arbitration proceeding shall be conducted by an Arbitrator to be selected by the Board and Association within seven (7) days after said notice is given. If the two parties fail to reach agreement on an Arbitrator within seven (7) days, the American Arbitration Association will be requested to provide a panel under its rules, and that both the Board and the Association shall have the right to reject one panel in its entirety within seven (7) days of its receipt and request that a new panel be submitted. If a request for arbitration is not submitted to the Board within thirty (30) days, then the grievance shall be deemed withdrawn.

The Arbitrator's decision shall not amend, modify, nullify, ignore, or add to the provisions of the Agreement. His authority shall be strictly limited to deciding only the issues presented to him in writing by the Board and the Association and his decision must be based solely upon his interpretation of the meaning or application of the express relevant language of the Agreement.