Hamilton School Board Approves New Grievance Procedures

The Hamilton School Board has approved a new employee grievance procedure as required by new state law.

The change in the grievance procedure became necessary with the expiration of the expiration of the district’s collective bargaining contract on June 30.

Under the new procedure, issues will no longer go to an arbiter, but to an impartial hearing officer. Unlike arbitration, which has costs split between the district and union, the district will have to pay for the hearing officer.

However, Superintendent Kathleen Cooke said the district will still save substantial amounts of money in legal fees and the cost of an arbiter.

Although the School Board approved the change, board member Gerald Schmitz raised concerns over a provision that allows an employee who has been suspended after being the subject of a grievance to continue to be paid while the case is under review. But Cooke said the provision was recommended by the district's attorney.

“It just makes me fearful a little bit when you say 'with pay,' ” Schmitz said.