Teachers Rally Ahead of Negotiating Session

More than 100 Hillsborough Education Association members rallied before Monday night's board of education meeting, ahead of a scheduled mediation session on Sept. 30.

The teachers contract expired June 30 before the HEA and board could reach an agreement.

"We went to impasse on May 1," HEA President Daynon Blevins said. 

With the talks stalled, the mediator will seek to bring the two sides closer together, usually in a series of sessions. Specific points of discussion haven't been provided, but recent negotiations have been getting caught on the new requirements for pension and health care costs under the 2011 reforms.

Also impacting the talks are changes to the teacher evaluation system and new technology added to classroom expectations. Board members have acknowledged the added burdens in discussions on the mandated evaluations. 

The district is also in the middle of negotiations with the Principals and Supervisors Association, whose contract expired a year earlier than the HEA contract on June 30, 2012. 

Monday, the HEA members arrived at Auten Road School at about 6:45 p.m., then joined in the board's meeting where several asked the board to settle on a contract.

Teacher Nancy Petrucelli chided the board after noting the township was recently named one of the best places to live in Money magazine, largely for the quality of the schools. She joked about copy machines that don't work, and said many people move to Hillsborough because of the schools.

Maria DeLucia, the HEA secretary, said she's been losing sleep because of her worry for her fellow teachers.

"I will tell you that this incredible staff is already overwhelmed," she said.  "They were last year, as you're well aware, and this year it is far worse."