Mt. Laurel Schools’ teachers and support staff will receive a salary increase of 5.9 percent over a three-year period with no annual increase exceeding 2 percent, from a retroactive date of July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2014, according to Marie Reynolds of the district’s Office of Communication Services.
The Mt. Laurel Education Association (MLEA) ratified the terms of the contract on Thursday, April 19, according to Reynolds.
On Tuesday, April 24, the Mt. Laurel Board of Education approved the agreement at its regular monthly meeting.
The contract will affect more than 500 teachers, secretaries, custodians and aides in Mt. Laurel Schools.
Discussion meetings began in January 2011. A tentative agreement was reached in January.
“As I said in January, we really owe our thanks to the 18 members of the MLEA Negotiating Committee and our board committee — Mrs. Haynes, Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Scott Jones — for the work that has been done to reach this agreement,” said Diane Blair, chairwoman of the negotiations committee. “There were no foregone conclusions here and nothing was taken for granted.”
Contract terms state teachers will work one less day per year and all non-salary items will be frozen at the 2010–2011 school-year levels during the time of the contract, the release said.
The MLEA is grateful for the fair agreement, MLEA president Judith Ruff said.
“Mount Laurel is a fortunate district in that there is a constant climate of respect between the board, the administration and the association,” she said. “That climate helped us to surpass the hurdles encountered during the negotiations process and resulted in a contract that ultimately serves all parties well.”
Dr. Antoinette Rath, superintendent of schools, said the children will benefit from the contract, and thanked all of those involved in reaching the agreement.
Student and teacher recognitions
Rath supplied many words of thanks during the meeting.
Harrington Middle School student Minna Kim was presented with an award of recognition for being selected to All-State Orchestra.
Joseph Palmucci, Harrington instrumental music teacher, was recognized for his work with Kim.
Andrew Pai received recognition for his selection to All South Jersey Middle School Orchestra.
Justin Brownstein was selected for the Olympic Conference Honors Band.
Gail Carpenter, Hartford School instrumental music teacher, was recognized for her work with Pai and Brownstein.
Special hearing
There was a special public hearing at the meeting on school violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation and bullying.
From Sept. 1, 2011 to Dec. 21, 2011, Rath said there were 10 incidents of violence, seven of harassment, one fight, one threat, one assault and one report of vandalism to property within the school system.
Other business
Robert Wachter Jr., assistant superintendent of schools for business and board secretary said the 2012–13 school-year budget has been certified and completed by the state.
School board elections were moved to November, he said, and all current board members who would have been up for re-election in April will instead hold on to their seats until the end of December.
“This is a learning experience for all of us,” he said.
