School board addresses comments by teachers union leader
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
BOE addresses union leader’s statements
To the Editor:
Mike Yannone, Ridgewood Education Association (REA) president, made several erroneous statements at the Sept. 21 Ridgewood Board of Education meeting that warrant response.
* A $2.5 million tax burden is being placed on teachers.
It is not a tax. State law known as “Chapter 78,” phased in over four years, requires that all public employees contribute towards their health benefits. The $2.5 million is the sum of this year’s contribution.
* The board passed a resolution to remove collective bargaining rights for teachers and did not provide it to the public.
Last March, the board approved a resolution asking that Chapter 78 be excluded from negotiations. This resolution was posted on the board and superintendent’s web pages at ridgewood.k12.nj.us within 24 hours of the board approving the meeting minutes.
* Contract negotiations are stalled due to a highly paid RBOE attorney spokesperson.
The RBOE has included an attorney on its negotiating team for over 15 years. He is an experienced, reasonably priced attorney. The REA’s negotiating team includes a NJEA representative. The REA collects over $650,000 annually from its members. Some of this money is used to pay NJEA for this service.
* The settlement of the contract is not the top board goal.
This is untrue. On Sept. 21, the RBOE approved a goal “to negotiate with the REA to settle a new contract.” It is a priority for this year.
* The district says its financial hands are tied, which is disrespectful to teachers.
The district’s annual budget is capped at 2 percent on the amount the tax levy can be increased. Law mandates this and it is the reality under which we operate. Disrespecting our staff is not part of the equation. We honor and appreciate the fine work of our staff.
* Each year the board hires new administrators who are doing less work.
In 2008, the board was forced to reduce administrative positions when all categorical state aid was cut. Over the last three years, we have rebuilt our administrative team. We have reinstated five administrators and added 33 teachers. Every staff member — administrators, teachers and support staff — are doing more work, not less.
Mr. Yannone asked if the RBOE was going to Atlantic City again at taxpayers’ expense. Yes, the Board of Education will attend the NJSBA workshop in October. Board members are the only New Jersey elected officials legally required to receive training. Workshop provides this training and opportunities to learn about best practices and hone leadership skills. The district pays for registration and accommodations.
The RBOE has high regard for our talented teaching staff and secretaries. The partnership with our teachers is a longstanding one that values their input in improving education for our students. In negotiating a contract, the board is mindful of the financial reality and tasked to balance this reality with the need to fairly compensate our teachers.
Ridgewood Board of Education
Sheila Brogan, President
Vincent Loncto, Vice President
Christina Krauss
If they don’t like their deal in Ridgewood, go make a difference in Paterson or Newark; enough of gouging Ridgewood taxpayers for a deal that people in the private sector no longer get. Enough of the REA’s lies and deceit. They are not negotiating in good faith.
If REA members are unhappy with their deal in Ridgewood, let’s use our $100mn BoE budget to hire teachers who would be thrilled to work here and restore our school rankings
Time for teachers and the union to grow up and come in to the real world, no one gets all they want.
If the teachers share of medical insurance in 2.5 million, how much is the taxpayers share of that premium?
Let them leave. It sure as hell would not be hard to replace them. And why would you “reward” a group of people who are at the heart of what has been a declining educational system ?
Saying that the board “disrespects” teachers sounds ackward. That is something ity teens say.
Is the board disrespectful?
“Teacher Shortages Spur a Nationwide Hiring Scramble (Credentials Optional)”
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/10/us/teacher-shortages-spur-a-nationwide-hiring-scramble-credentials-optional.htm
Add to that the way teachers are disrespected here and elsewhere and there aren’t lines of qualified people lined up to take the jobs.
Why would you stay in a job where you are disrespected? Stupidity? Greed? Lack of Moral fiber?
Or perhaps the “victim of disrespect” stance is just another disingenuous tactic…
9:14, the BoE can just use their $100mn budget to hire the latest graduating class from Teachers College at Columbia University and NYU Steinhardt, I’m sure they’ll do a great job. Anyone who’s part of Ridgewood’s declining educational system at present can be replaced… it’s called “upgrading” in the private sector
If teachers in Ridgewood feel disrespected, they are free to leave. What self-respecting teacher would stay under such conditions alleged by Mike Yannone, Ridgewood Education Association (REA) president?