Teachers, Residents: Settle School Contracts Now

With ongoing contract negotiations between the West Morris Regional Board of Education and its teachers surpassing the two-year mark, several members of the public came out to voice their concerns and general unhappiness with the current contract situation.

The public—which included more than 160 faculty, parents, and students from both West Morris Central and West Morris Mendham High Schools—brought protest signs and their opinions to the Board of Education’s Monday night meeting.

Many of the district’s teachers are unhappy with contract negotiations having taken as long as they have, especially after faculty efforts within their respective communities to reach out to friends and family to ensure the regional district was able to pass its budget in April.

According to West Morris Central teacher Matt Cinotti, faculty members district-wide placed phone calls and created literature in the hopes that a passed budget would result in swift, fair contract negotiations.

“As a result of those things, your budget passed,” said Cinotti to the Board of Education. “More than a month has gone by since that budget passed, and we still do not have a contract.”

Bruce Taterka, the lead science teacher at West Morris Mendham High School, expressed fears that the fact that a contract is not currently in place for teachers—coupled with the fact that the district has a lower average starting salary for teachers than other Morris County school districts—could hurt teacher recruitment and retention within the district.

“Going on two and-a-half years now without a contract, I’m concerned as a teacher, as someone who’s interested in education,” said Taterka. “I think the fact that we don’t have a contract now is harming everyone who is interested in public education in this district.”

Many teachers cited the hard work that they put into their profession as basis for their argument.

“Enough is enough. No more excuses, no more futile arguments,” said West Morris Central teacher Maria Castro. “The truth is that we are excellent professionals that are doing beyond and above our duties and job expectations.”

“Education is not truly a business. I’m not a businessman, I’m a teacher,” said Kevin Hennelly, a physical education teacher and head football coach at West Morris Central. “If I was a businessman, I’d be punching in at 9 (in the morning), and I’d be punching out at 5 (p.m.). I don’t do that, and I don’t think anybody else in this room does, because we go above and beyond.”

Board accountability was another major theme at Monday night’s meeting, with several district parents and teachers expressing their frustration at the stalled negotiations.

“I’m not sure what the problem is here, either, but I’m sure there are people in this room that know what the problem is,” said Jeff DiLollo, a teacher at West Morris Central.

“Your effort is to get the board to focus on education. Money’s an issue; it’s important, but it’s not everything,” said Washington Township resident Jeff Emery. “Power and control is not everything. You’ve got to help this board move forward, Right now, it’s not going anywhere.”

While it is understood that the current state of the economy—locally, as well as state and nationwide—puts financial constraints upon a school district, many teachers have become disillusioned by the lack of effective communication between the two sides.

“We can appreciate numbers, but I don’t understand handing over a decision like, ‘we can’t afford it,’” said Joyce Hartmann, spokesperson of the West Morris Regional Education Association. “We can’t put kids first, teachers can’t get what we need, and we can’t work out the benefits (without a contract). I just don’t understand it. Somehow, the power is sitting with somebody who said ‘no.’”

Board of Education President Cristen Forrester stated that, despite stalled negotiations, the Board of Education continues to be very pleased with teacher performance during what has been a difficult period for the district, and hopes that a resolution to the dispute can come soon.

“We’re more than satisfied with your performance,” said Forrester to the faculty members in attendance. “At this point, it’s just a matter of scheduling (a meeting between the two sides).”

This is a meeting which many members of the public hope comes sooner rather than later, citing potential effects on the quality of education which, in the long run, could adversely affect the communities as a collective.

“I urge the board to protect our investment (in education), and I urge the board to begin bargaining in good faith, as you say you’re going to do, and settle now,” said Long Valley resident Mike Sickles.

A continued high standard of education throughout the district, many believe, is dependent on such a swift resolution.

“I just urge you to please work together, and let’s get this resolved for the sake of the kids,” said resident Linda Guldner. “They just need to know that it takes everybody- it takes the board and the teachers alike—to make this a success.”