Lacey Teacher's Union Continues To Fight School District

LACEY, NJ — The fight between Lacey teachers and the board of education continued at a recent board meeting, as teachers continued to ask for a fair contract.

Lacey teachers have been working under an expired contract as negotiations have stalled. These negotiations have been going on for over a year.

Many members of the teachers' union, Lacey Township Education Association (LTEA), spoke up at the meeting to voice their disapproval.

"Today there is a nationwide disaster in the making," Lacey teacher Meryl Costa said. "Across the country, thousands of teachers are leaving the classroom."

Costa highlighted that although thousands of educators are leaving the field, Lacey teachers remain, without a contract in place.

"Make no mistake, we're the ones who make the wheels on this bus go round and round," Costa said.

Juliann Schlossareck, a Lacey high school teacher and lead negotiator for the LTEA, shared to everyone present "how hurtful and belittling this experience has been for all of us."

Schlossareck said that the treatment of staff is completely unprofessional.

One of the biggest issues between the teachers and board is the sixth period stipend, where teachers get $4,500. Schlossareck explained that this stipend saves the district money because there is no need for new teachers to be hired to teach an extra period. Rather, existing teachers can take on extra responsibilities to cover for a stipend. She said that last year, this stipend saved the district $4.75 million.

Schlossareck emphasized that the teachers salaries are not competitive in their demographic in Ocean County.

"Even as of tonight, the board still has not offered a salary increase in line with other Ocean County schools in our demographics," Schlossareck said.

"I truly cannot understand why the board refuses to invest in its employees," Schlossareck added.

Michael Ryan, LTEA president, said that while the board says they appreciate the staff, their current actions do not reflect that.

"We are not average employees. We go to work above and beyond. We deserve more than the county average. But it's really all we're looking for," Ryan said.