By John Molene, Correspondent

Negotiation talks are continuing on the 2009-11 contract between the Prior Lake-Savage Education Association (PLSEA) and the Prior Lake-Savage Area School District.

The union and the school district issued a joint one-paragraph update Thursday morning (Nov. 5) that said:

“The Prior Lake-Savage Education Association and the School Board’s negotiation team are continuing to meet regularly in order to find a fair and equitable contract agreement. We have made good progress and we’ve been working together well, but we are facing a similar set of challenges as other metro districts, as both sides work hard to find the best solution for the district and our employees at a time when resources are very limited.”The next meeting between the association and the School Board team is Thursday, Nov. 12. Negotiations started on July 20. The School Board will meet in closed session on Monday, Nov. 9 to discuss labor negotiation strategies.

A team of six represents PLSEA, while there are four members on the district’s negotiation team, including two board members, as well as Matt Mons, director of human resources, and Margo Nash, director of business affairs.

“It’s all on the table at this point,” Mons said. “We’ve made good progress. But at this point nothing has been voted on or ratified.”PLSEA President Deb Johnson was contacted for a statement on her view of the progress, but did not return phone calls.