Did anyone ask if the board is actually not willing to negotiate time issues?

"Chuck Saldarini added that the board wasn’t “operating under the assumption that we would need to look at this through the lens of the contract negotiations.""

Is he out of his mind? Does he not realizes how nasty the BOE has let these negotiations get between bringing the negotiation public, not providing the teachers with information they requested, denying the teachers their traditional first day meeting and now stonewalling the negotiation by refusing to compromise their time issues? EVERYTHING involving our teachers will be through the "lens of contract negotiations" until they get one because they haven't had one for 2 years. Does he really not get that? He is either dumb, naive or just posturing.

I am a second grade mother at GW and since I attended this meeting I am very upset by the fact that this article is missing many of the major points that were discussed at last night's meeting. In fact, one of the other mothers that attended on GW's behalf stood up and said, " if we don't appreciate our teachers, why would they leave their families to attend this trip." Again, this has nothing to do with how the teachers feel about the children, or how awesome they are in the classroom; the BOE needs to recognize how much the teachers do ABOVE their responsibilities.

Jess, I was also wondering why our questions about George Washington classes being so much bigger than the other elementary schools did not appear on the Patch. We were very disheartened that the people in charge of the Mahwah schools wouldn't look at the school numbers...isn't that their job. If a school has more children, shouldn't they have more staff? It seems to me that the BOE and administration of Mahwah are the ones that have lost sight of the kids...not the teachers.

Ahh, the old days..when teaching was an inspiration and not a "job"..

Unfortunately fastharry, it does become a "job" when the administration chooses to run the district like a corporation rather than a public school district.

Guy, can you elaborate on your comment?

And MEA's tactic to use the field trip as a bargaining tool is counterproductive. I believe everyone is frustrated with contract negotiations and these are difficult times for everyone but the young and future generation are bearing the brunt from all sides. Seriously, to both sides, resolve these issues before it gets any worse. We need to refocus on the still difficult times ahead together.

Jessica, if I could call you by first name? Please gather data for your best article on problems with class sizes. The BOE should consider GW parents request with the same care and respect we as parents have shown them at yesterday's meeting.

Do not be fooled by the tactics of the teachers union. Of course they will involve the heartstrings of parents - by using their children in negotiations. Do not forget that BOE members are volunteers from your community that have a lot more in common with taxpayers and parents than teachers. There shouldn't be a connection between the trip and negotiations but you can be sure there will be. The issue of chaperoning was initiated by the adminstration because they were asking who the 'paid volunteers' would be for this years trip, something they must do every year. Why this year a 'rumor' of no volunteers?

I believe that if people want to comment they should attend the board meetings. That is the forum to ask questions as the teachers can answer them. Chaperoning an overnight trip is voluntary not a forced requirement. Perhaps the parents of the 8th graders should volunteer to go.

Thank you Jess for looking in to it.

lucky, well they should have left the rumors be just that. I understand your point in regards to BOE but unfortunately old age lol has made me question when others show too much benigness. If you can, please explain their compensation for being on the board besides a salary? Thanks.

No overnight field trip is mandatory, this was made very clear at the board meeting by both sides. Yes, administrators and teachers if they choose to go, can get paid; however nowhere in the contract are they required to go. This was stated at the meeting.
If it is statement to get parents to understand that this negotiations is taking a toll then good for them. As a parent I teach my children to stand for something, and not be walked over. When the teachers are appreciated I'm sure they will want to go. In fact, the teahers vocalized their concern last night about the trip being canceled. One of the teachers asked the board " can we tell the kids the trip is on regardless if we don't go?" and the response from the superintendent was "yes!" Again, before people comment based on opinion attend the meetings to hear the facts.

When is the trip? I don't have a child in the 8th grade but I would be willing to volunteer to chaperone.

Based upon the meeting June, but the teachers did say if the board would be willing to meet halfway, they would all sign up again. Over twenty teachers were on a list saying they'd attend if the board would just even take a few steps. The list was actually at the meeting. The meeting is on May 2nd so hopefully the BOE would be willing to work with the teachers.
This was my first board meeting and I have children at GW and Jk, but as a parent I found the board to be dismissive to the teachers and group of parents who attended. Actions speak louder than words.

Maria - sorry I don't understand your question. BOE members are volunteers, there is no compensation. The public should understand that BOE members are sometimes prohibited from giving the public answers to their questions due to personnel matters, negotation matters, legal matters, etc. The teachers are not prohibited and are more than willing to manipulate the parents and kids. I've seen it myself as a BOE member (not in Mahwah). Don't think that teachers are not appreciated - none of us can succeed without them. In this economy though, with their salary step increases and their benefits it's time for them to appreciate working in a district like Mahwah. They should not use children as a means to get what they want regardless. I'm all for people standing up for themselves, but not at the expense of a child.

Lucky- you do realize their benefits are mandated by the state so they can't be negotiated? As for salary, they are asking for a basic cost of living adjustment, which I believe everyone in anyone in ang profession would want, and according to the meeting havent received in a fre years. As is due to state requirements they are making less than ever before, but being asked to do more. I really would urge you to attend the board meeting and read the facts on state benefit requirements. At the meeting the board told us the issues with negotiations. The board would like to mandate two extra meetings a month. According to the teachers they use this time to grade papers, make tests, work collaboratively with one another.. Time that benefits the students. I don't see why the board cares about this frankly? It seems as a matter of control, let the experts do their job.
I must admit I am not a long time member of the Mahwah community, but I'm very disheartened by the lack of teacher support. Unfortunately children, including my own, will have to suffer slightly otherwise people wouldn't realize all that they do. You never miss the water until the well runs dry.

@MahwayMommy - of course I realize some benefits are mandated and some are negotiated and thankfully our governor is now forcing the teachers to contribute to their costs. Your teachers are not just getting a cost of living adjustment. Have a look at the salary GUIDES. Teachers get an increase each year just for being a teacher another year. This is ON TOP of salary increases or as you say, cost of living increases. I am well aware of state requirements, as I said I have been a BOE member for many years. Teachers can average anywhere between 6-20% salary increases when you add in their GUIDE Step increase and their cost of living increase. I suggest you check the facts - request a Salary Guide from your BOE office, it's public information, all you have to do is ask for it. As to the 2 extra meeting a month, I do not have a clue why the BOE wants to use that time. I would however, imagine that it's not just because they feel like being difficult.

Well my mother is a teacher, sister is a teacher, and my neighbor is a Mahwah teacher so trust me I have seen salary guides and never once have I seen such an increase as you suggest. Also, Im sure you are aware as I am that teachers in Mahwah have always contributed to their pension and having been contributing to their health are. No other benefits of that nature can be negotiated. I personally would like the governor to address the toll collectors making over a hundred grand, or the numerous administrators in towns making way more than teachers. I have read the patch and never chosen to comment, and did this time because I attended this meeting. I will be returning, as should all people who want to have an opinion and vocalize it.

I was at the board meeting last night and I think what most forum commenters are failing to understand is that the teachers did not back out of the trip; they NEVER signed up nor committed to being chaperones. The school started collecting money and permission slips before making sure they'd be enough teacher chaperones. Since the MEA is working to their contract, and overnight trips are not in their contracts, they are not going. Although there is a stipend, going on an overnight trip is above and beyond what they are contractually obligated to do. How did the BOE not expect that? It is quite astounding to learn that the BOE doesn't have a contingency plan in place that spells out where chaperones would be found in case there aren’t enough teacher chaperones. I believe that to qualify as a chaperone, you need to be fingerprinted and have had bullying training. Teachers are not the only people who meet these requirements: coaches, police officers, parents who are teachers in other districts, supervisors, administrators, superintendents, and even the BOE members. If Dr. Lake is so adamant about not canceling the trip, perhaps she should start seeking out chaperones from the aforementioned professionals.

I am pretty sure things will be resolved by then. If not, the BOE may want to up the tactics and might offer to volunteer.. I could just imagine the uproar.

Please, resolve the issues on May meeting and we could all worried about how to bring the house back to order. There is a lot to worry about...3 schools that are low proficient, class sizes, new hires, curriculum changes, rising taxes to name just a few.

Oh, I totally get that. What I am saying is pick a day later in the year when all school's would have it on the same day. Or the teachers could choose to offer to trade that half-day in for the BOE to budge on another issue. That is usually how a negotiation would go. But according to the MEA, the BOE says their offer in terms of time is take-it-or-leave it (non-negotiable). Was anything asked of the board about that last night?

I am not an expert on these matters, but have heard from professional negotiators that basically what stops compromise from being reached by adversaries is not this or that but a lack of respect, wether real or perceived, by either side. However, in May, you will have a mediator that will bring some form of resolution. Lets wait and see.

“Modern cynics and skeptics see no harm in paying those to whom they entrust the minds of their children a smaller wage than is paid to those to whom they entrust the care of their plumbing.” John F. Kennedy

"With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds.... "

I think this situation has carried on for too long. Teachers are a big part of the children's lives. I believe the teachers do deserve pay increases annually just as I expect annual pay increases. What the teachers need to realize along with all of the municipal workers throughout all of New Jersey is that all of the other great benefits they receive were created decades ago when the world was a completely different place. The corporate world has realized this and it's time that government and school employees realize this, too. In my industry, every company offered a pension which the company funded until about 10 years ago and those pensions were replaced by 401k' in which the employee contributes an d the employer offers some type of match. Also, those of us in corporate continue to pay increasing healthcare costs which includes monthly contributions, higher copays each year, and higher deductibles. The list goes on for how private sector employees have to fund more and more of their benefits.

I would like to say that in my younger years I was in the food workers union and while in that union, the union contract had an aspect that I feel the government needs to use because I don't believe the current teachers should lose the benefits they have been promised. While in the union, I was working under the 'C' contract and of course there were an 'a' and a 'b' contract. The 'a' contract people were entitled to double time on Sundays and Holidays and were guaranteed a certain raise each year. The 'b' contract people were only entitled to time and a half on Sundays and Holidays and received the same increase as the 'a' contract. The 'c' contract still had time and a half but the increases were less the 'b' contract.

,This might be the way to make everyone happy and allows you to manage the expectations of future teachers that are currently in college.

As a final note, the teachers have been receiving bad advice from their union which has cost them as they continue to lose benefits due to the state passing legislation while the teachers could have been grandfathered in. Plus, using the children as pawns I feel is uncalled for. If the school will allow, I will be a chaperone and I don't even have a kid in the middle school. The children should not suffer due to bad advice from some union as they continue to get paid while this situation continues

Why do they need to get an increase, at my job I am lucky to get one every two or three years no guarantees that is if my job has improved.
1) If the district ranked higher in the state “ok” for an increases but Mahwah is dropping like a rock in the standing over the past couple of years that deserves a change in BOE, administration and Teachers.
2) No raise until the district ranking increases and change in staffing and management just like the rest of America they are starting to make these changes in NYC.
3) This whole conversation is about $$$ not about the quality of the education of the children, no wonder the education of the children is suffering.
Unhappy parent and member of the community who has to pay for these over price individuals

Member at large ...you are so right!

Bob Rama, THe Patch just had an article on the drop on three schools in Mahwah. Honestly, I can't say I'm surprised. I believe it was in LA's.

We all want the best for our children and our community. We are passionate about where we live and our neighbors and friends. Teachers guide our children through early years in life. In these times, having the best influence is most important. A great teacher will make an impact that all of us realize when we get older. The board of education are a great group of people, however they should not expect us to hold them in high exteem because they volunteer to guide the schools. When a person volunteers, they should take on the job as if is a paid position, and give it their all. It is not apparent that our BOE approaches their positions as a job, rather they create a political environment. They are looked at to resolve issues, not create issues. I am sure when the next election comes around all of this will be discussed and we may see a change of guard. In addition, we may also see a change in the school systems as all of us should hold teachers, administrators and allied personell accountable for their goals and targets.

One more thought. The township of Mahwah shoud require a 3-5 year strategic plan for the schools. The issue we have now should have been forecasted and planned for. Yes, you can say that it is difficult to predict the future. However, if you want to take a trip, do you plan? The township of Mahwah is us.

Talk about extortion - Give us a contract we like or will punish the kids. It's the NJEA Mantra.