(a) If the dispute is not settled within 30 days after the appointment of the panel, or, upon agreement by both parties, within a longer period, the panel shall make findings of fact and recommend terms of settlement, which recommendations shall be advisory only. Any findings of fact and recommended terms of settlement shall be submitted in writing to the parties privately before they are made public. The public school employer shall make such findings and recommendations public within 10 days after their receipt.

(b) The costs for the services of the panel chairperson selected by the board, including per diem fees, if any, and actual and necessary travel and subsistence expenses shall be borne by the board.

(c) The costs for the services of the panel chairperson agreed upon by the parties shall be equally divided between the parties, and shall include per diem fees and actual and necessary travel and subsistence expenses. The per diem fees shall not exceed the per diem fees stated on the chairperson’s resume on file with the board. The chairperson’s bill showing the amount payable by the parties shall accompany his final report to the parties and the board. The chairperson may submit interim bills to the parties in the course of the proceedings, and copies of such interim bills shall also be sent to the board. The parties shall make payment directly to the chairperson.

(d) Any other mutually incurred costs shall be borne equally by the public school employer and the exclusive representative. Any separately incurred costs for the panel member selected by each party, shall be borne by such party.

(Amended by Stats. 1980, Ch. 949.)