1193228_doodled_desks_2Officials with the Northeastern Catholic District School Board are preparing for another school year, despite no guarantees there will even be one in time.

Contract talks continue this Thursday and Friday between the province and the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Union, and NCDSB Director of Education Glenn Sheculski says they’re not too sure what the details are at this point.

“They keep it pretty close to their chest,” he said.

“But we’re putting everything in place as if it’s business as usual.  We’re making sure that we’re going to serve the best interests of our students in the time of job action.”

He says the job action itself is yet to be determined by the union.  It could be a full out strike, or a work-to-rule campaign, which was seen late last year when teachers with the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario refused to participate in PA Day meetings, book field trips and prepare detailed report cards among other things.

“We’re really hoping for an agreement before school starts,” Sheculski said, adding that strike action could start as early as this Thursday, August 20th, which is when Bishop Belleau Catholic School in Moosonee returns to class due to their week-long “Hunt Break” the week after Thanksgiving in October.

If all goes well, Sheculski says the other schools under his board would return to school Wednesday, September 3rd.  He says this is so they can get the required 194 days in their school year calendar.

The last day of school would be June 24th, 2016.