Central, Mendham Back To School Nights Postponed Due to Contract Stalemate

A years-long contract stalemate between the West Morris Regional School District’s board of education and the teacher’s association has caused teacher in the district to postpone back to school nights at both high schools.

Mendham High School’s back to school night was originally scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, but “has been postponed due to ongoing contract negotiations,” according to a message on the school’s website.

“We are currently working on an alternate date and will provide information once finalized,” the note said.

West Morris Central’s Back to School night, scheduled for Oct. 8, has been postponed but the school’s website did not specify why, only explaining the school community will be notified at a later time regarding a new date.

Both the teacher’s association and school board met last week with a super conciliator, the next arbitrator to handle the negotiations process. Another meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19 with the board’s next regular meeting scheduled for Oct. 26 at West Morris Mendham.

On Friday, Sept. 18, teachers at both high schools protested outside their respective buildings, a practice that has become common on Friday mornings now that the association is more than two years without a new contract.

An independent fact-finder was appointed to the negotiations earlier this year – after being agreed upon by both sides – and presented his data to both sides in June. Per contract negotiations guidelines, both the board and teacher’s association had 20 days to accept or deny the findings.

The board, in a special meeting, voted unanimously to approve the findings. The teacher’s association and its more than 200 members held a vote, which resulted in a no to the findings. The number of teachers who voted yes or no was not disclosed.

The negotiations process began more than two years ago, ahead of the union’s contract expiration.

The full report composed over several months by the arbitrator, which can be found online here, analyzes starting salary in the district, annual raises over a three-year period, and cost for prescription medicines as its most major components.

The fact finder’s synopsis, which can also be seen here, shows three significant recommendations, including:

Salary increases:

• A 2.25% salary increase for the 2013-14 year (county average was 2.05%)
• A 2.35% salary increase for the 2014-15 year (county average was 2.16%)
• A 2.45% salary increase for the 2015-16 year (county average was 2.22%)
• A 2.40% salary increase for the 2016-17 year (proposed by arbitrator, but a fourth year was not included in either the board’s or the union’s proposals)

Slight increase in prescription co-pay
Increase of a starting salary from $47,535 to $50,170

According to the report, in the final year of the current contract, 2012-13, the West Morris Regional Education Association ranked highest in Morris County for average salary.

Both sides are aiming for a three or four year contract. A three year contract, however, would put both sides back at the negotiations table this school year, as the pact would expire June 30, 2016.