A New Tack in High School Contract Talks?

Neither school officials or Watchung Hills Regional Education Association representatives will provide specifics, but both sides say a new procedure for the talks is being initiated that may help.

After a special meeting Thursday afternoon in the conference room of the board offices, members of the stressed negotiators are continuing to work with the state-appointed mediator and reiterated their desire to have an agreement before the end of the school year.

"That way, when the students come to school in the fall, we can all focus on educating the students, which is the reason we're all here," Board President Robert Horowitz said.

Talks to reach a contract to replace the one that expired June 30, 2011, have been underway for more than a year but reached an impasse in October. 

Horowitz said the negotiating teams for the school board and the teachers association will be meeting with the mediator, but did not have specific dates set.

And while board members could not speak directly on the matters discussed in the closed session, board Vice-President Harold Grossnickle noted, "What we talked about today will help us move towards (a settlement) more quickly."

The board members lamented the constricted resources they have to work with, but Horowitz said the district is proud of the fact no teachers have been laid off when many districts have eliminated positions—and is, in fact, adding faculty this year.

The board also discussed the annual performance review for Superintendent of Schools Frances Stromsland during the closed session.