Teachers Protest Lack of Contract Outside Board Meeting

Roughly 100 Gloucester Township Public Schools (GTPS) teachers picketed outside of the district's Erial Road administration building Monday night prior to the GTPS Board of Education's reorganization meeting.

The teachers have been working without a new contract since their last deal with the district expired June 30, 2012.

"The members wanted to make sure the board knows we want a contract," Gloucester Township Education Association President Angel McDermott said.

Many of the teachers who showed up to protest the lack of a contract were carrying signs that read, "Settle a fair contract."

The teachers' union wants to resume contract talks with the board and could have a presence at the board's next meeting later this month, McDermott said. 

GTEA represents about 625 teachers in Gloucester Township's 11 public schools—eight K-5 schools and three middle schools.

McDermott indicated she did not intend to discuss the contract impasse with the board during it reorganization meeting Monday night.

The GTPS board's next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. at Ann A. Mullen Middle School.