New Providence Teachers Start School Year Without Contract

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Standing together in unity New Providence teachers, who sported hunter green shirts, returned to school for the first time without a contract.

The teachers and school board had been negotiating since February and were unable to come to an equitable resolution of the contract. The teacher’s contract expired as of July 1.

To kick off the 2018-19 school year teachers and secretaries wore the hunter green shirts for the first day of school on Sept. 4 to show a united front.

“It’s time for them to stand up for themselves. It’s hard for teachers to do that because they are by nature nurturing, but they need to show their own children not to roll over. It is a hard transition to be advocate for themselves but it is a teaching life lesson to students to stand up for themselves,” said Maryanne Rodriguez, the New Jersey Education Association representative for the New Providence teachers and secretaries.

Two main sticking points are what is causing the impasse - medical insurance contribution percentage and salaries, said Rodriguez.

Specifically, Rodriguez pointed to legislation Chapter 78 introduced by former Govenor Chris Christie, which calls for a percentage of teachers’ salaries to pay for their medical benefits.

However, Rodriguez said “most teachers are bringing home less money than they did in 2012.”

Additionally, she said that even when teachers get a raise the percentage of medical contributions rises to the point that it cancels itself out.

“The association came up with a proposed plan to get themselves Chapter 78 relief. We came up with a way for the board to get back half the money we are contributing. Yet the board is refusing to entertain it,” Rodriguez said.

“The Board wishes we could have reached a meeting of the minds and had an agreement in place for the start of the school year. We are not here for a lack of trying and will continue to work hard to get an agreement in place,” said BOE President Adam Smith.

The NJEA declared an impasse with the board of education and now the state will be coming in to mediate the situation on Sept. 17.

Teachers will once again wear hunter green shirts and march at the high school at 5 p.m. next Monday, prior to the state meeting. Local supporters are invited to join teachers as well by wearing hunter green, holding signs or just marching with them.

Both teachers and the board are hoping the contract issues will be able to be settled next Monday night.

“That is everyone's goal and we will work hard toward that end,” Smith said.

(Images via Maryanne Rodriguez with permission)

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