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New Jersey teachers’ raises drop to average of 2 percent
Average raises for teachers under contracts negotiated this year have dropped to about 2 percent, data released Wednesday by the New Jersey School Boards Association show.
But the number of districts with starting teacher salaries of at least $50,000 will double this year to 162, New Jersey Education Association data show.
More than 200 expired contracts remain in negotiation, compared with the 158 that remained unsettled at the same time last year. Representatives of both the NJSBA and the NJEA said the economy, state budget and new state laws governing pensions and benefits have contributed to slower negotiations.
Locally, about 15 districts in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and southern Ocean Counties are still in negotiations. (D’Amico, Press of Atlantic City)
