ARTICLE I RECOGNITION

Portsmouth School Department

1. The Portsmouth School Committee (hereinafter called the School Committee) recognizes NEA Portsmouth as the sole and exclusive representative of a unit consisting of all certified teaching personnel in accordance to and within the authority and limits established by Title 28 of the General Laws of Rhode Island as amended.

2. NEA Portsmouth agrees to represent equally all personnel in the negotiating unit without, regard to membership or participation in the activities of NEA Portsmouth or any other employee organization, and to continue to admit teachers to membership without qualification, other than payment of dues and employment, in the Portsmouth School Department

3. The term "teacher" when used hereinafter in this Agreement shall refer to all employees represented by NEA Portsmouth in the negotiating unit as above defined.