Teachers' Union, School District Close to Agreement

The Millburn School Board and the teachers’ union both say they are near an agreement in negotiations that began a year ago, and teachers filled the Education Center Monday night to support the urge that the negotiations be completed as “positively and quickly as possible.”

At least 25 teachers spoke on behalf of themselves and others and Millburn Education Association President Lois Infanger thanked board members Mark Zucker and Sam Levy for the “countless hours” they’ve put into negotiations, saying, “We’re one short phrase away. It’s Monday. By Friday, let’s get it done.”

Infanger said the MEA has have been portrayed by some as “the bad guy”  and that “we need to tighten our belts” and understand what the economy is like.

“We completely understand,” she said, adding that many teachers are the primary income earners of their families, that they are suffering along with everyone else. In addition, they are paying an increasing portion of their health benefits, and in four years, they will be paying for 35 percent.

“Our spouses have lost jobs, we’ve taken second jobs to make ends meet,” she said. “We understand. We live it every day.”

Some of the teachers pointed out that they live in town and pay taxes and send their own children to Millburn public schools.

Others talked about all the extra curricular activities they attend on their own time to see their students in plays, concerts and sporting events, as well as all the extra work, including getting advanced degrees, they do to help Millburn maintain its status as a top school district in the state.

“We push ourselves to be the best we can be for your children,” Kathleen Forte, a first grade teacher at Glenwood.

Board members said they also hoped the negotiations would be finished this week.

“Our labor counsel and the MEA are putting the finishing touches on the contract,” said Board member Mark Zucker, who heads the negotiations committee. “We are just a few words away from a final agreement.”

The board also heard a pitch from Superintendent James Crisfield for upgrading the district's technology and high speed network. To read that story and more about the school board meeting, check back here later.