Ridgewood Teacher Contract Agreement Delayed

Due to a backlog at the state's largest teachers union, a new contract for village school teachers could be delayed a few weeks, according to Ridgewood Education Association (REA) chief negotiator Laura Grasso.

Patch reported last week that on a new three-year deal, but still needed to finalize salary guides.

Once finalized, the union was expected to ratify the contract with a final vote by the school board, potentially as early as Sept. 10.

"Unfortunately we are in a bit of a delay with the guides," Grasso told Patch Tuesday night. "It may be over a week before they get to work on our guides."

The chief negotiator said the union is "eager to get this done but realize we need to be patient."

The state union will be working on the salary guides with Assistant Superintendent of Business Angelo DeSimone, she added.

"Then, at that time, both sides will need to agree on the guides. Once that happens we will call for a ratification meeting."

Teachers and school officials have been tight-lipped about the terms agreed to, citing a confidentiality agreement both parties signed.

If state-wide trends are any indication, the settlement could be much lower than the annual 4 percent raises the union members are accustomed to.

"Settlement rates continue their downward trend due to the state’s 2 percent tax levy cap, the slow economy, and local school board concerns about property tax burdens," New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) Executive Director Marie S. Bilik said in a news release.

According to the NJSBA, the average teacher raise in 2012-2013 is 2.42 percent, and slightly lower for unions that struck deals from July 2011 through the present.

A significant amount of districts – 38 percent – reported raises at 2 percent or lower for the current school year, down from an average of 3.19 in 2011-2012.

Ridgewood teachers were in the current school year.

If the salary guides are finished in time, the union says 'yes' as expected, the school board could seal the deal on Monday, Sept. 24.

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