High School Teachers Reduce Access in Hope of Pressuring Board

Teachers at have stepped up their efforts at reaching a settlement with the school's board of education, imposing what is known as "work to rule" where the teachers only perform the duties specific to their job descriptions.

Watchung Hills' teachers have been working under a contract that expired in June 2011. The talks have reached an impasse, and negotiators are waiting to meet with a state mediator.

A statement on the Watchung Hills Regional Education Association's website notes the board has been touting its healthy financial situation, which led the association to take the step.

"Because of this situation, the teachers have decided to work to rule in an effort to remind the Board of how much time teachers spend outside of their contracted work day," the statement says. "It is an inconvenience, but until a contract is resolved teachers will be unable to meet outside of school hours."

WHREA President Sean DiGiovanna said the teachers are continuing to prepare and complete class lessons, test students and provide feedback, and to "provide the best classroom instruction in public education."

"The only thing that has changed is our availability outside contractual hours," Dr. DiGiovanna said. "While undoubtedly some students may be inconvenienced by this or while it may take longer to arrange extra help, this will in no way negatively impact the quality education that the teachers at Watchung Hills have always provided."

Parents have been confronted by upset students this week, with some ready to wish a pox on both houses in the talks.

"I do not understand how these new rules for the teachers are in the best interest of the students in either district," parent Robert Morrison said. "The contract impasses are having a very negative impact on the quality of the education for our children. These negotiations have gone on long enough. I have had it with both sides. It is time to get the contracts for both districts resolved... now!"

Another parent asked "Why is it always the kids that get punished?"

"We continue to provide additional help and guidance after school and at other times," Dr. DiGiovanna said.

But the association hopes the move will demonstrate the teachers' dissatisfaction, and to highlight the after-hours work regularly performed.

"Teachers at WHRHS have always been happy to provide extra help after school hours, supervise unpaid clubs, chaperone events for free, and dedicate their time outside of school hours to making Watchung Hills 154th in the nation (according to Newsweek magazine)," the associaiton statement said. "However, the lack of a settled contract demonstrates the Board of Education’s lack of appreciation for our continuous efforts that have been above and beyond our contractual responsibilities."

According to the statement, the school and teachers have a mediation session scheduled for April 12, and the association encourages residents to "urge the Board of Education to make a fair settlement offer to our negotiations team so this contract can be settled."

The school's board of education responded that the board has carefully maintained its budget and built the surplus for use repairing and maintaining the facility.

"Our priority is not increasing teachers' salaries; it is restoring those cuts and dealing with our expanding enrollment—we expect to have over 100 more student next year than we have this year," board member Peter Fallon, who is leading the board's negotiating committee, said.

And he pointed out the teachers are not working without a contract, but rather working under the terms and conditions of the previously negotiated agreement.

And as far as the work to rule effort, the board members say it is detrimental to students.

"We are also very mindful of the extraordinary amount of time and effort that all of our faculty put in," Fallon said. "However, refusing to meet with students before or after school unless it is in a stipended (i.e., paid) activity is more than an inconvenience.  It is unfortunate that the teachers have decided to act in a manner that is detrimental to our students."

The board will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the school library—both sides may be able to gauge how the teachers' work to rule effort is playing out with the public at the meeting.