It’s been three long years of negotiations, but it looks as though the Smith-Green Community School Corp. and the Churubusco Teachers Association may have come to terms on the teachers’ contract.

Teacher union leaders and SGCS administrative representatives came to an agreement Friday, according to school board president, Tanya Young.

“It’s not final yet, but both sides are optimistic,” Young said.

Union officials will take the contract to teachers Thursday, who will hopefully ratify it Friday, Young said.

The final step is the school board’s approval of the contract at Monday night’s board meeting.

Both sides began meeting in negotiations three years ago, and teachers have been working without a contract after it expired two years ago.

It’s no secret that the stalemate has created an atmosphere of distrust and tension in the halls of SGCS. Several teachers have left SGCS due to the increasing tension between administration and staff, while students and support staff found themselves taking sides, adding to the already contentious atmosphere. 

“I am just so relieved” about the pending ratification, said a teacher who did not wish to be identified.

No details on the contract were available as of Wednesday morning.

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