No Agreement Made In New Providence Teacher Contract

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ — Despite meeting with a state mediator, New Providence teachers and the Board of Education were unable to come to an agreement to settle a contract last week.

Teachers and local supporters wore hunter green shirts on Sept. 17 and marched at the high school, prior to the state meeting to show unity. A total of 200 people walked in the rain.

"There was no agreement," said Maryanne Rodriguez, the New Jersey Education Association representative for the New Providence teachers and secretaries. "The board is dug in on not providing medical."

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.

• See Related: New Providence Teachers Start School Year Without Contract

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

Usually, the state mediator would meet with both sides three different times but the school's case was sent straight to the "factfinding" hearing. This is where both sides have a "factfinder" who looks for documentation to back up their case and then present the information.

The next New Providence Board of Education meeting is set for Sept. 27. In the meantime, teachers plan to walk in a unified way, as a group, out of the school every Friday until the contract is settled.

(Images via Maryanne Rodriguez with permission)

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