Teachers from the Grosse Pointe Public School System elected a new union president this week. The new presidnet is Cheri Trefney, who is a teacher at Monteith Elementary School.

This is the first contested election for the Grosse Pointe Education Association in a number of years and it comes in a year that will require considerable work related to the contract, negotiations and more.

Trefney was the elementary school liasion for the union for the 2011/12 term.

She will replace Ranae Beyerlein, who will return to Grosse Pointe South as a science teacher when the change happens. Beyerlein has been the president for four years and was the vice-president for seven years before that. She also helped negotiate the current contract.

"I'm disappointed but respect the will of the members," Beyerlein said Wednesday night.

In addition to electing a new president the teachers elected other positions as well, including:

• Kim Maddalena, of Kerby Elementary School, will be the new Vice President of Bargaining
• Karen Villegas, of North High School will remain the Secretary
• Barry Mulso, of North High School will remain the High School Liaison
• Rob McIntyre, who will be the RA Delegate

Elections were held Tuesday in all schools except Trombly, whose members voted Wednesday. The votes were gathered at the GPEA office on Hollywood Avenue in Grosse Pointe Woods on Wednesday where they were tallied and the winners were determined.

Maddalena will replace Paul Booker from Pierce in the Vice President's position. She was previously a co-chair on the policital action committee.

The changes come at a time when the teacher's contract will be under negotiation and when details about how concessions will be reached under the current contract as it relates to keeping the district's fund balance at the minimum 10 percent balance.