By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
The Princeton school board and the teachers union are “very close” to reaching a new contract, this after both sides met at the bargaining table for 12 hours Wednesday, a union leader said on Thursday.
Neither side has ruled out the possibility of getting a deal done before schools go on summer break later this month. The stalemate between the union and the board has dragged on since last year, as teachers’ old contract expired at the end of June 2014.
“We will know by early next week whether we will have an agreement to take to our members for ratification before the end of the school year,” said high school teacher John Baxter, the lead negotiator for the Princeton Regional Education Association. “We are very close, however, and work continues.”
Neither Mr. Baxter nor the school board released any details about these latest talks that came after both sides met for around 17 hours last week. Pay and benefits have remained sticking points, with the union looking to lower the amount its membership pays toward health coverage.
“Although the parties have not yet reached a complete agreement, progress on all open issues was made,” said school board president Andrea Spalla by email Thursday. “The parties are working to resolve their remaining differences over the course of the next week, so that an agreement can be reached before the end of the school year.”
Superintendent of Schools Steve Cochrane could not be reached for comment.
