Public forum held in Frazee to discuss teacher contract negotiations

Negotiators from Frazee say they want to solve this problem, and put it behind them as fast as possible. In the mean time, tonight their goal is to get re-energized for the coming mediation and hopefully clear the air with people in town about any rumors they've heard.

“It can almost divide a town. You do have people that are really for the teachers and for the kids, we’re all for it. I'm not saying that the board is not for the kids, the teachers are for the kids, the board is for the kids, people in the community are for the kids, but yet people tend to pick sides.”

Extra chairs were set out for tonight's public forum. People in town are anxious to hear more about negotiations, and why they're not final

“I think that they should try to settle a contract and get it over and done with. I think the teachers deserve a fair shake.”

People like retired Frazee teacher Eldon Bergman want to know where things stand and when negotiations will actually be finalized.

“It does tear the school apart when the teachers are working without a settlement, and the morale is definitely down.”

The road ahead could be long and that's one reason the President of Education Minnesota came to speak. He hopes to energize teachers and remind them he'll be with them every step of the way.

“And they're going to remember that if they stay together, what's going to be good for kids is going to be fair for teachers.”

Teachers hope this forum tonight gives them the boost they'll need to go forward.

“This would probably be my least favorite part of it. I enjoy being in the classroom, I enjoy being with the kids, and this is the part that really gets agonizing sometimes.”

Negotiators have made calls to a mediation company to help them out, but because of today's holiday, they've haven't heard back yet.

Tags: your city, k-12 education, christina vaughn, frazee