Superintendent: No Teacher Deal Before Current Contract Expires

It is unlikely the and teachers association will reach an agreement on a new contract by the time the current deal expires at the end of the month.

That was the word Wednesday night as Superintendent Bill Gretzula made a short announcement on the contract situation at the school board meeting.

“The negotiation process remains professional and productive. It is unlikely we will have a contract resolved by June 30 but there are multiple dates set for this summer to continue the negotiation process (and) the administration remains confident that a suitable contract will be negotiated to balance the community's needs as well as those of the members of the BTEA (Bensalem Township Education Association).”

Gretzula added that he would have no further comment on the ongoing talks. It is believed they began in late January after the school board in December hired professional negotiator Michael Levin, of the Huntingdon Valley-based Levin Legal Group.

The BTE represents about 450 employees, which in addition to teachers includes nurses and guidance counselors.

The current contract is a five-year deal.

Attempts before the school year ended to reach BTEA President Cynthia Keaton at her district school were unsuccessful.