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Reader says Stalled Ridgewood Teacher Contract talks all about the greed of the REA and their full-time paid lawyers and lobbyists from the NJEA

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Let’s be very clear about this, this is all about the money and the greed of the REA and their full-time paid lawyers and lobbyists from the NJEA. They are trying to squeeze more blood out of Ridgewood taxpayers for what are already among the most expensive teacher salaries and health benefits in the entire nation That’s right, we pay $100M a year for our public schools in a Village of 25,000 people. If they don’t like paying for their health benefits then they are welcome to get a job in the private sector or another school district.

The BoE must not roll over here despite the threats, bullying and personal and vindictive attacks they are facing from the REA/NJEA. As Bob knows personally, these bullies are not negotiating in good faith, they are trying to squeeze as much as they can from taxpayers. The education of our children is the furthest thing from their minds.

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Progress reported on Ridgewood teacher contract talks

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OCTOBER 23, 2015    LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015, 12:31 AM
BY MATTHEW SCHNEIDER
STAFF WRITER |
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS

As has become a pattern over the past few weeks, Monday’s Board of Education (BOE) meeting featured a bevy of speakers, most of whom were demanding a resolution to the contract negotiations between the BOE and the Ridgewood Education Association (REA).

Although this week’s meeting featured debate from the public, there was some potentially favorable news given by trustee Sheila Brogan.

“Jim (Morgan) and I did sit down on Friday with (REA chief negotiators) Laura (Grasso) and Mike (Yannone) and had a really positive conversation,” Brogran said, adding that they were set to meet again Oct. 21.

“We are working at it,” Brogan told the public at the meeting. “I know it’s not at the pace that you are wishing for.”

Yannone, president of the REA, confirmed the meeting via e-mail, and said he “thought it was productive in that it was the first time the REA felt we were able to talk one-on-one with the board members on their negotiating team. We left that meeting believing we articulated our position regarding our health contributions and we listened to their concerns regarding their budget.”

https://www.northjersey.com/news/education/progress-reportedon-talks-1.1439403