GRPS Offers New Contract Terms For Teacher's Union ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - The Grand Rapids school board has offered a new contract proposal to the district's teacher's union. The two sides have been trying to reach an agreement since January of 2007.

Grand Rapids Public Schools won't release the details of the latest offer until its reviewed by the union.

As of last month, there was a $4 million difference between what the union was asking for and what the district would offer.

Union president Paul Helder says the two sides are also hung up on contract language.

For example, the current labor contract includes suggested class size guidelines. The union wants those guidelines to be mandatory.

"Every single study out there, every single one, says that class size is essential," Helder says. "And, you know, we can't even get a guarantee of cap to that class size."

A spokesman for Grand Rapids Public Schools says district leaders are working to ensure appropriate class sizes, but he would not comment on whether that's part of the labor negotiations. © Copyright 2009, Michigan Radio