Prince George, B.C. – Prince George & District Teachers Association president Tina Cousins isn’t too keen on a suggestion by Education Minister Peter Fassbender of a “cooling off” period so classes can start on time next week.

“I think at this point in time teachers are very concerned about class size and composition and we’re concerned if there’s a cooling off period where does that leave us?”

She’s also suspicious at how little time it took for the provincial government to send out a news release after the meeting yesterday between the BCTF and Victoria had ended (approximately 30 mins later).

“Well I was quite surprised at how fast that press release went out, you know the meeting just wrapped up and an email came out which was a bit concerning.”

Prompted further Cousins confesses she thinks it seemed a bit scripted.

“I’m concerned that those are what the optics are and I wish they could have meetings and we didn’t have to hear about it in the news.”

She notes she was briefed by BCTF president Jim Iker following the meeting.

“He gave us an update as well – not to the positiveness that the government did. He feels getting together with a mediator is what we need to do to get a deal.”

And that appears where this dispute is headed as Vince Ready is scheduled to meet with both sides today.