In re the Arbitration between Windsor Central School District & Windsor Teachers Ass'n
The Windsor Central School District (District) and the Windsor Teachers Association (Association) had a collective bargaining agreement. The Association filed grievances for guidance counselors assigned study hall duties, claiming a violation of section 11.3 (e) of their agreement. An arbitrator ruled in favor of the Association, citing the District's past practice of not assigning guidance counselors to study halls. The District and Superintendent of Schools petitioned the Supreme Court to vacate the award, which was granted on the grounds that the arbitrator exceeded their authority by relying on past practice. However, the appellate court reversed this decision, holding that arbitrators can indeed rely on past practice to interpret collective bargaining agreements and did not exceed their authority in this case.