Common use of NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES Clause in Contracts

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 The Board and SEE shall each exchange, in writing, at the first negotiations session, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up to ten (10). Each party shall also designate the person on its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons may be permitted to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE or the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations to commence to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without mutual agreement of the parties. 3.7 Negotiations will only be conducted between the designated representatives of the parties and only in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon by the parties. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the close of each negotiations session. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases to the news media will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When tentative agreement is reached on any item, it shall be reduced to writing, and signed and dated by the spokesperson of each team. When tentative agreement is reached on all items, they shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit for ratification and then by the Superintendent to the Board for ratification.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 The Board and SEE shall each exchange, in writing, at the first negotiations session, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up to ten (10). Each party shall also designate the person on its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons may be permitted to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE or the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations to commence to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-2012- 13) 3.6 Negotiations shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without mutual agreement of the parties. 3.7 Negotiations will only be conducted between the designated representatives of the parties and only in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon by the parties. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the close of each negotiations session. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases to the news media will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When tentative agreement is reached on any item, it shall be reduced to writing, and signed and dated by the spokesperson of each team. When tentative agreement is reached on all items, they shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit for ratification and then by the Superintendent to the Board for ratification.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 The Board and SEE shall each exchange, in writing, at the first negotiations session, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up to ten (10). A. Each party to negotiations shall also designate the person on select its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons may be permitted to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE or negotiating representatives provided that the Board shall submit not select an employee, as herein defined, as its representative. Each negotiating team shall consist of not more than 5 members and not more than 2 alternates. If mutually agreed at the beginning of negotiations, alternates may observe but may not participate in negotiation sessions unless called upon to offer testimony by members of either negotiating team or unless chosen to fill the seat of an absent member of either team. All negotiations shall be conducted exclusively between said teams in closed session with no other parties present. B. Negotiations shall begin within 60 days of the receipt by a written request for negotiations party of a demand to commence to bargain issued by the other party. Once commenced, if it desires there to be negotiations collective bargaining must continue for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiationsa 60 day period, unless a contract is entered into. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations Meetings shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without mutual agreement of the held as necessary at times and places agreed to by both parties. 3.7 Negotiations will only C. During negotiations agreed-upon material shall be conducted between prepared for the designated representatives of Board and the parties Association and only in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon initialed by the parties. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the both parties prior to the close adjournment of each negotiations sessionthe meeting at which such agreement was reached. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside D. When the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases to the news media will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither Association and the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When reach tentative agreement is reached on any itemall matters being negotiated, it shall the items will be reduced to writing, writing and signed and dated by the spokesperson of each team. When tentative agreement is reached on all items, they shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit membership of the Association for ratification and then by the Superintendent to the Board for ratificationofficial approval. E. If after a reasonable period of negotiation and within 45 days of the scheduled start of the forthcoming school year the parties have reached an impasse, either party may declare to the other in writing that an impasse exists and call for a mediator. A written request for mediation by one party shall be considered a joint request for mediation, and the other party shall join in the request. If the parties fail to reach an agreement within 15 days of the scheduled start of the forthcoming school year and have not requested mediation, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board shall invoke mediation. F. Declaration of Impasse Time limits as set forth in the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act will be applicable to the declaration of impasse. A written request for mediation by one party, concerning items defined as negotiable in the scope of this Agreement, shall be considered a joint request for mediation and the other party shall join in the request.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 The Board and SEE shall each exchange, in writing, at 5.1 Upon notification by the first negotiations sessionAssociation of its intent to open contract negotiations, the names parties agree to meet no later than March 15, 2019 to exchange proposals and further agree to begin negotiations on or about April 3, 2019. In addition, the Board and/or Board designee agrees not to negotiate with any Employee on any item contained within or appended to this Agreement. 5.2 Negotiations shall not take place during regular working hours, except as mutually agreed to by the parties. 5.3 The ground rules for negotiating a successor agreement to this Master Collective Bargaining Agreement shall prohibit new subject or items from being introduced after both parties have submitted their contract proposals. This ground rule does not in any way limit or prohibit midterm contract bargaining, which shall only be done by mutual consent of persons who the parties. 5.4 Each party shall select its own representatives, not to exceed five (5) at any given session. One representative from each side shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up spokesperson. 5.5 All negotiating sessions shall be closed meetings. 5.6 Negotiations shall be held in a mutually acceptable location with such frequency as is mutually agreed to ten by the parties to expedite the reaching of agreement. 5.7 Negotiating sessions shall be limited to two (10)2) hours. Each party shall also designate the person on its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons Sessions may be permitted to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE adjourned earlier or the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations to commence to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only extended by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations Upon request, either party may recess negotiation sessions to caucus. The date and location of the next negotiating session shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without scheduled at the close of the current session by mutual agreement of the parties. 3.7 Negotiations will only be conducted between 5.8 Both parties agree that it is their mutual responsibility to confer upon their respective representatives the designated representatives of the parties necessary power and only in regular negotiations sessions at the timesauthority to make proposals, datesconsider proposals, make counter-proposals, and places mutually agreed upon by the partiesto seek tentative agreement. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the close of each negotiations session. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases to the news media will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When All tentative agreement is reached on any item, it agreements shall be reduced to writing, writing and signed and dated by initialed at the spokesperson of each team. When meeting at which tentative agreement is reached on all itemswas reached. After tentative agreement has been reached, they shall the agreement will be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit Association for ratification within two (2) weeks and then by the Superintendent subsequently to the Board for ratificationadoption. 5.9 If impasse occurs, the parties shall contact the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service to assist in resolution of the impasse and notify the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board of the impasse. 5.10 Within thirty (30) days after the Agreement is signed, copies of the Agreement shall be printed at the expense of the Board and presented to the Association Presidential Committee Contact person.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 The Board and SEE shall each exchange, in writing, 1. Negotiations for a successor agreement will be initiated at the first negotiations session, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up to ten (10). Each party shall also designate the person on its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons may be permitted to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement end of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing yearState Legislative Session, either SEE or the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations but prior to commence any budget submission to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that yearState by Carlsbad Municipal Schools. 2. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations Negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations shall be conducted in closed sessions. 3. No recordings Details of negotiations meetings will be kept confidential. Either team may report progress to the parties they represent on those items on which Tentative Agreement has been reached. 4. Neither party will speak to the Media about Negotiations. Upon mutual agreement, both parties may release a joint written press release to be signed by the Spokesperson from each team. 5. Each party will have a negotiating team of not more than five members. Either party may add a temporary member if the temporary member has particular experience or official transcripts expertise to add to the issue being negotiated. 6. Each party will designate a spokesperson to speak for the whole team during Negotiation meetings. This in no way is meant to preclude other members of either team from participating in discussion of any issue being negotiated. 7. During negotiations, the parties will meet at mutually acceptable times and places for negotiations. The parties will negotiate in good faith until an agreement is reached. 8. Opener issues will be limited to pay, benefits, and two (2) non-economic issues on each side, as well as any mutually agreed upon issues. There shall be made no other negotiations during the term of this agreement without the written mutual agreement of the parties. 3.7 Negotiations 9. Upon request of either party, all information, data, documentation and budget information relevant to any issue under discussion will only be conducted between the designated representatives of the parties and only in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon shared by the parties. 10. The All agreements reached by the parties shall be initialed as tentative agreements. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, tentative agreements will not become effective until the entire negotiations package has been ratified by the parties. 11. If the parties have not reached settlement on a successor agreement before this Agreement terminates, the Agreement will continue as long as both parties agree in writing, until it is replaced by a subsequent written agreement; however, this shall not require the District to increase any employee’s level, steps or grades of compensation contained in the existing contract. 12. If negotiation meetings are scheduled during employee work hours, the District will assume the cost of employee salaries and the employee will not suffer any loss of accumulated leave. 13. During negotiations, either party may call a caucus at any time, date, place . 14. All proposals and agenda of subsequent sessions counter proposals will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior made in writing. 15. Correspondence regarding negotiations will be addressed to the close President and/or the Director of each negotiations sessionHuman Resources, respectively. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall 16. Additional negotiations ground rules may be scheduled outside the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases to the news media will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When tentative agreement is reached on any item, it shall be reduced to writing, and signed and dated negotiated by the spokesperson of each team. When tentative agreement is reached on all items, they shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit for ratification and then by the Superintendent to the Board for ratificationparties.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 5.1 The Board Association shall submit any initial proposal for an amended or modified agreement pursuant to Article 20, Term of Agreement and SEE Reopener. The responding proposal shall each exchange, in writing, be presented and publicly noticed no later than sixty (60) days after the initial proposal is received after which negotiations shall begin. 5.2 Negotiations shall take place at the first negotiations session, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective mutually agreeable times and places. 5.3 The Association may designate up to three (3) representatives for negotiations, up to ten purposes of official meeting and negotiating and no official meetings between the parties shall be held unless at least two (10). Each party shall also designate the person on its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons may be permitted to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement 2) members of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE or Association team and the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations to commence to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be team are present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without mutual agreement of the parties. 3.7 Negotiations will only be conducted between the designated representatives of the parties and only in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon by the parties. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the close of each negotiations session. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreementconsent. Additionally, the Association may designate its president to be a member of the negotiating team. 3.9 Releases 5.4 The Association shall be entitled to released time, without loss of compensation or benefits for purposes of official meeting and negotiating with the Board’s representatives. This released time allocation may be used in full or half day increments. Association representatives utilizing this released time allocation shall follow normal District procedures for prior notification of absence in order that necessary substitutes may be secured. Substitutes costs necessitated by the allocation of released time as described herein shall be divided equally between the Association and the Board after the 10th day of negotiation. 5.5 Either party may utilize the services of outside consultants for purposes of providing information necessary for negotiations. 5.6 Upon written request, the District shall furnish the chairman of the negotiating team a copy of already prepared non-confidential reports and information necessary for negotiations. 5.7 Following ratification of the successor Agreement by both parties herein, the District shall have one digital copy for each unit member prepared and the Association shall deliver it to the news media membership. A digital copy of the existing contract shall be given to each newly employed unit member. A hard copy will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own membersprovided to current unit members upon request. 3.10 When tentative agreement is reached on any item, it shall be reduced to writing, and signed and dated by the spokesperson of each team. When tentative agreement is reached on all items, they shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit for ratification and then by the Superintendent to the Board for ratification.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 SECTION 9.1 - Within ten (10) working days after receipt of the written notice to negotiate, the negotiating teams for the Board and the Association will hold an informal meeting. At the informal meeting the Board and Association negotiating teams will hold an informal discussion of possible issues for negotiation. Formal negotiations for a new Agreement will begin within ten (10) working days after the informal meeting. Attendance at all negotiating meetings between the Board and the Association negotiating teams shall be limited to the members of the teams, which shall not exceed six (6) persons on each team, except for the facilitator or any other persons the negotiating teams mutually agree, at their prior negotiating meeting, to allow to attend for the sole purpose of making a specific presentation of a subject of the negotiations. SECTION 9.2 - If release time is needed by members of the Association’s Negotiating Team to prepare for negotiations, the Association President, Vice Presidents, and the Superintendent or designee shall meet to discuss the appropriate release time. Any release time given to the Association to prepare for negotiations shall not be deducted from the Association Leave days in Section 3.11. SECTION 9.3 - If the Parties cannot reach agreement on all sections of the contract, or if agreement is not reached ten (10) days before the expiration of the contract, the parties agree to utilize an alternate settlement dispute procedure through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), as opposed to the fact finding process contained in ORC 4117.14C and under Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4117-9-05 (B) (C). SECTION 9.4 - The Board and SEE shall the Association, for the life of this Agreement agree that each exchangemay voluntarily propose matters or subjects referred to or covered in this agreement for discussion, in writingand that the other, at while not obligated to discuss, may voluntarily enter into such discussions. In the first negotiations sessionevent that such discussions lead to agreement, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up to ten (10). Each party shall also designate the person on its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons such agreements may be permitted reduced to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement a Memorandum of the parties. Understanding (revised 2012-13MOU) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE or the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations to commence to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place effective for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement life of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without mutual agreement of the partiesthis agreement. 3.7 Negotiations will only be conducted SECTION 9.5 - The parties further agree that this instrument represents the complete Agreement between the designated representatives of the parties and only supersedes any and all prior oral or written agreements or understandings between the Board and Association. All resolutions, policies, practices, procedures, rules or regulations that are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement are superseded by this Agreement. All resolutions, policies, practices, procedures, rules or regulations that are not contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement shall continue in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon effect until changed by the parties. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the close of each negotiations sessionBoard. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unit, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases to the news media will be by mutual agreement only. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When tentative agreement is reached on any item, it shall be reduced to writing, and signed and dated by the spokesperson of each team. When tentative agreement is reached on all items, they shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit for ratification and then by the Superintendent to the Board for ratification.

NEGOTIATIONS PROCEDURES. 3.1 The Board A. Good faith, for the purpose of this Agreement, is defined as the willingness of both parties to meet, discuss the issues, and SEE shall each exchange, make proposals and counterproposals in writing, at the first negotiations session, the names of persons who shall serve as their respective representatives for negotiations, up an effort to ten (10)reach an agreement. It does not imply acquiescence or concession to either party's demands either in whole or in part. Each party shall also designate the person on select its team who will serve as spokesperson. Other persons may be permitted own representatives not to attend negotiation sessions for resource purposes upon prior mutual agreement of the parties. exceed six (revised 2012-13) 3.2 No later than April 15 of each ensuing year, either SEE or the Board shall submit a written request for negotiations to commence to the other party, if it desires there to be negotiations for that year. If no such request is made during the time period above, negotiations will not take place for the ensuing year. (revised 2012-13) 3.3 The first negotiation session shall occur on a mutually agreeable date. (revised 2012-13) 3.4 The Board and SEE shall share their initial written concerns 6) in number at least one week prior to scheduled negotiations. Subsequent initial concerns may only be submitted upon mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.5 Only those members who comprise the negotiation teams will be present in the room during negotiations except for the OEA advocate and clerical assistance. Other parties may be permitted to be present only by mutual agreement of the parties. (revised 2012-13) 3.6 Negotiations shall be conducted in closed sessions. No recordings or official transcripts shall be made without mutual agreement of the parties. 3.7 Negotiations will only be conducted between the designated representatives of the parties and only in regular negotiations sessions at the times, dates, and places mutually agreed upon by the parties. The time, date, place and agenda of subsequent sessions will be set by mutual agreement of the parties prior to the close of each negotiations any given session. 3.8 Negotiations sessions shall be scheduled outside B. Both parties agree that it is their mutual responsibility to confer upon their respective representatives the regular work day of the representatives of the bargaining unitnecessary power and authority to make proposals, except by mutual agreement. 3.9 Releases consider proposals, make counterproposals, and to the news media will be by mutual agreement onlyseek tentative agreements. However, neither the Board nor SEE shall be prohibited from communicating with its own members. 3.10 When tentative agreement is reached on any item, it Tentative agreements shall be reduced to writing, in writing and signed and dated initialed by the spokesperson of each team. When the respective teams at the meeting the tentative agreement is reached on all itemsreached, they and upon final agreement the entire contract shall be submitted first as a package by SEE to the bargaining unit Federation for ratification and then by the Superintendent subsequently to the Board for ratificationadoption. C. Negotiations for a successor agreement shall begin no sooner than April 1 and no later than June 1 of the year this contract terminates. All items proposed for negotiations shall be presented in writing by the Federation at the first session and thereafter shall not be expanded. D. Bargaining sessions shall be closed. Dates of meetings shall be determined by mutual agreement. Meetings shall generally last two (2) hours, except that either party may adjourn a meeting earlier if no progress is being made toward settlement. The parties may mutually agree to extend a meeting. E. If agreement is not reached on all items 45 days prior to the start of the next school year, either party may declare to the other that an impasse exists, and call for the service of a mediator. Services of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services will be used in cases of impasse. F. It is expressly understood and agreed that all functions, rights, powers and authority of the administration of the School District and the Board of Education which are not specifically limited by the expressed language of this Agreement are retained by the Board provided, however, that no such right shall be exercised so as to violate any of the specific provisions of this Agreement. G. At the first meeting for negotiations, ground rules shall be established.