Sec. 16. (a) If an agreement has not been reached on the items to be bargained collectively by November 1, as provided in IC 6-1.1-17-5, the parties shall continue the terms of the current contract that is in effect, and the school employer may issue tentative individual contracts and prepare its budget on that basis. During this period, in order to allow the successful resolution of the dispute, the school employer may not unilaterally change the terms or conditions of employment that are issues in dispute.

     (b) Upon the expiration of the current contract that is in effect, except for teacher appreciation grant stipends and additions to base salary provided under IC 20-43-10-3.5, the school employer shall continue under the terms of the current contract that is in effect, with no increase or increment in salary, wages, or benefits for any bargaining unit employee until a new contract is executed.

     (c) The only parts of the contract that must continue under this section are the items contained in the contract and listed in section 4 of this chapter.

     (d) This section may not be construed as relieving the school employer or the school employee organization from the duty to bargain collectively until a mutual agreement has been reached and a contract entered as called for in this chapter.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-7.5-1-12(e).]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.48-2011, SEC.24; P.L.229-2011, SEC.182; P.L.239-2015, SEC.9; P.L.214-2017, SEC.4; P.L.217-2017, SEC.104.