ADAMS TWP — The Mars Educational Support Personnel Association has rejected a contract presented to them by the Mars School District. Union President Laurie Dufford told the school board Tuesday evening that the 81-member union voted on Feb. 20 to reject the agreement. Dufford said the union’s negotiation team presented the school board with a modified agreement, which she hopes the board will consider. “We look forward to continuing our negotiations with the board,” Dufford said. “We do want to come to an agreement.” She said the main sticking points are wage issues, which she feels the two sides can agree upon in further negotiations. If that happens, a contract will be likely, Dufford said. “I feel we’re close,” she said. “I feel it will be soon.” There was no need for the school board to vote on the agreement since it was rejected by the union. The association includes secretaries, custodians, paraprofessionals and cafeteria workers. School board members did not comment on the union vote or the modifications to the rejected contract.
