ARTICLE 2 RECOGNITION

Glocester School Department

A. On November 1, 1966, a secret ballot election was conducted among professional employees of the Committee in the Unit described in Section B below to determine which, if any, teacher organization they wished to have represent them in negotiating with the Committee. The Association was duly elected as the representative of the professional employees in the Unit. In these circumstances, the Committee has determined that the provisions of Chapter 9.3 of Title 28 will properly be effectuated by entering into this Agreement with the Association as the exclusive representative of the professional employees in the Unit.

B. Subject to and in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9.3 of Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, the Committee recognizes the Association for purposes of professional negotiations as the exclusive representative of all certified professional employees (hereinafter generally referred to as Teachers) below the rank of Assistant Principal, employed and engaged in positions requiring a teaching or special services certificate.

C. The Association agrees to represent equally all teachers without regard to membership or participation in, or association with the activities of, the Association or any other employee organization in the Glocester School System.

D. Communications:

The Committee and the Association recognize the value of effective communications between all levels of the school system and agree that:

1. Exclusive of Executive Sessions, members of the Association are welcome to attend all regular and special School Committee meetings. Permission will be granted for representatives of the Association to speak at such meetings in conformance with procedural rules adopted by the Committee for the general public.

2. All Building Principals shall meet individually with their Building Representative for matters of mutual concern at least once each month at the request of either party.

3. The Superintendent of Schools and GTA President shall schedule monthly meetings to discuss matters of mutual concern, as necessary, to provide for informal opportunities to enhance communications, to resolve issues of mutual concern and to discuss matters of mutual interest. School Committee members and other administrators may be invited to meetings to discuss specific issues and/or help address various matters.