By Dana Drake
Thank you to the maintenance and custodial staff for ensuring our schools and grounds were ready for staff and students returning on Sept 3.
Other than a few late buses — which is standard the first few days of school, the 2015-16 school year got off to a great start!
Though the Board of Education had hoped to settle the Lawrence Township Education Association (LTEA) contract prior to the start of the new school year, we remain optimistic after significant progress was made at a recent negotiation session on Sept. 9.
Changes in state laws the past five years have impacted New Jersey labor union contract negotiations at all levels of government — state, counties, municipalities and school boards.
Recent changes include increased contribution amounts to pension and health benefit premiums and a two-percent cap on property tax increases.
This has made an already difficult process more challenging, and as a result over 30 percent of New Jersey communities started the school year amidst teacher contract negotiations.
Additionally, like Lawrence, 8 percent of New Jersey communities are still negotiating contracts that expired in 2014 or earlier.
We understand the continued frustrations experienced by our staff, students, parents and the general public as this process continues, especially as both the Board and LTEA are bound by a confidentiality agreement and not able to provide negotiation specifics at this time.
Meanwhile, the board is committed to keeping public information factual; please know that school employees never “work without a contract.”
Until a new agreement is reached, all of the provisions of the expired agreement remain in effect and teachers continue to receive salaries, health insurance, sick leave, and all other benefits provided in the expired contract. Additionally, LTEA members will be retroactively compensated once a settlement is reached.
On a more positive note, after a few months of negotiations the Board, and Lawrence Township Principal and Supervisors Association (LTPSA ) were able to wrap up contract negations this summer. The July 2015 — June 2018 LTPSA agreement was approved at the July 15 Board meeting.
Meanwhile, the fall sports season is well underway for both the Lawrence Middle and High schools. Be sure to come out and show your support for our talented boys and girls fall sports teams: cheerleading, field hockey, football, soccer, tennis, and cross-country. The Lawrence Cardinal athletic calendar can be found at colonialvalleyconference.org.
Also, don’t forget to mark your calendar — LHS Homecoming is scheduled for Oct. 24. Go Cardinals!
School board elections will take place on Nov. 3. On the ballot this year are three candidates running for three, three-year seats; Joyce Scott, and incumbent’s Kevin A. Van Hise and JoAnn L. Groeger.
If you are new to the district, or have not done so already, be sure to sign up to receive the district’s newsletter, “QuickNews.”
By subscribing to this free email service, you will receive important notices and news from LTPS, including emergency or late-breaking information such as school closings or early dismissals. Visit ltps.org and select “QuickNews” under the “Community” heading to sign up.
And speaking of school closings, school will be closed on Oct. 12 – Professional Development Day, and Nov. 5 & 6 – NJEA Convention.
Dana Drake is a member of the Lawrence Township Board of Education.
