Hazlet union, board have tentative contract pact

Staff Writer

By ELAINE VAN DEVELDE

HAZLET — A tentative settlement has been reached between the Hazlet Township Education Association and the Board of Education.

A memorandum of agreement was reached between the Board of Education and union Sept. 4 and announced at the board meeting by Board President Toni Casha the next night.

Though no details were released to the public, Casha and Board Secretary/Business Administrator Bruce Quinn said that the deal was pending ratification by both sides.

Casha was delighted with the settlement and was encouraged that ratification would come soon.

Said Superintendent Renae LaPrete of the agreement: "We’re very happy that both sides, the board and the teachers’ association, could come together to work out the details of the contract. I know that right now the salary guides are being worked on. The memorandum of agreement is a great example of both factions moving the district forward in the best interest of the students. Needless to say, I couldn’t be happier that the whole issue has been worked out so pleasantly. As soon as the guidelines are formulated, teachers will have ratification. It’s very positive news."

According to Quinn, in an interview outside the meeting, what ratification means is that to cement this tentative three-year agreement "there will be a further agreement on salary guide development – where to place money on both sides. A determination will be made on where the [salary] increases from the previous year will fall on the guide – how much more senior and newer teachers will receive in pay.

"There’s a percentage calculation, based on those previous year salaries, that determines what certain steps [levels of seniority] get in percentage increase terms – that guide is being negotiated. Health benefits also have to be dealt with and figured in the equation. I really can’t say more, because too much information with little detail that can actually be released tends to create confusion."

Beyond explanation of the steps involved leading to a permanent settlement, Quinn could not release further details either, saying that doing so would only serve to jeopardize successful negotiations.