The Northwestern Lehigh School Board and the district’s Education Association – the teachers’ union– have entered the fact-finding process.

On Feb. 16, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board appointed a neutral fact finder to develop a report which would include recommendations on unresolved issues.

The hearing will be held in mid-March and the non-binding report will be issued by the end of the month.

Both the board and the union will have 10 days to vote on the report. If they agree, a contract will be based on the report.

If either disagrees the labor board will publish the report and there will be another 10 days after it was made public to vote on the package.

If one or both parties reject the fact finder’s report, the two may continue to negotiate or the teachers’ union will have the right to go on strike.

If both agree, a contract will be reached.

For information contact Willard Dellicker, board president, at dellickerw@nwlehighsd.org or leave a message at 610-298-8661 ext. 1225.