YOUNGSTOWN — After negotiations and little progress, a federal mediator has been assigned to help facilitate talks between the Youngstown Education Association and Youngstown City School District ahead of the union’s contract expiration June 30.

The move comes after the union brought a small number of items to the negotiating table hoping for a quick resolution, but found itself at a stalemate with the district, prompting union members to enter the mediation phase.

The school district stated in an email bringing in the mediator is a “rushed decision after just one bargaining session” in which the district said proposals were rejected with no further discussion.

According to a news release from the union, the mediation process involves contacting the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service that will then assign a federal mediator to assist both parties. The service is funded federally with no additional cost to the union or the board.

“We know that our students benefit most when the attention of teachers, administrators and board members is on what is happening in the classroom and not on what is happening in other venues,” union spokesperson Jim Courim said. “We wish to avoid a protracted and contentious negotiation, so we hope a mediator can assist us in finding common ground and reaching an agreement before our contract expires.”

The union expressed in the news release it wanted to collaborate with the board, but was disappointed to see board members show up to the May 4 meeting “unprepared to focus on proposals.”

The union said it is trying to resolve negotiations as soon as possible.

“In 15 days from today it will be the end of school; 46 days from today, our contract expires, and 106 days from today, scholars return to school,” Courim said.

The school district, in its email, stated: “We believe the district and YEA have a shared goal of providing scholars with an excellent educational environment. The district’s administration looks forward to negotiating to ensure the best for our scholars and educators.”

The district also affirmed it does not wish to have negotiations play out publicly.

“In fairness to our board of education and to follow the law and proper protocols, we will only respond after our board members have been made aware of actual events,” the email stated.

cmcbride@tribtoday.com