The RSU 21 School Board released a statement Monday denying any suggestion that it has not fully respected its legal obligations during teacher contract negotiations.

Last week, the Kennebunk Arundel Kennebunkport Educators Association (KAKEA) formally accused the school district of engaging in a prohibited labor practice by failing to meet their obligation to participate in mediation in good faith.

The union alleges that the School Board bargaining team has only superficially participated in mediation. According to the union’s complaint, the school board made no proposal, counter-proposal, or offer of compromise through eight hours of mediation.

Jen Swan, KAKEA chief negotiator, said the School Board hasn’t sought compromise on important issues.

“The KAKEA negotiating team has tried time after time to compromise and find common ground with the School Board on multiple issues important to educators,” Swan said. “Our attempts to find compromise have been met with stonewalling.”

Swan said the School Board has not offered to compromise with contractual language at all since negotiations began last year.

School Board Chair Lesley Stoeffler said the School Board “flatly denies” this suggestion, and will remain focused on reaching mutually satisfactory terms for a successor agreement.

“The Board is confident that it has demonstrated that it has come prepared for meetings and has been willing to meet with our teachers at mutually agreeable times,” Stoeffler said.

Stoeffler also said the Board has listened carefully to teacher concerns, has offered proposals and counter-proposals, has adjusted its bargaining position, and has explained each of its bargaining positions with facts, data, and case law.

But KAKEA leaders say teachers continue to feel unsupported by the School Board during negotiations.

Rachel McCarthy, a KAKEA representative and a teacher in the district, said she worries the ongoing stalemate is causing teachers to leave the district.

“Every time a teacher leaves, students lose,” McCarthy said. “Those departing teachers take the best of what we are with them – a community of adults our students know and trust.”

Contract negotiations began in December of 2023, and mediation began this summer. Teachers in the district have been working without a contract since August, and many have expressed frustration with the School Board.

Board Chair Stoeffler said the Board is still committed to reaching an agreement with terms that are fair to employees, affordable to taxpayers, and good for students.