District, teachers to keep talking Phillipsburg educators say negotiations will continue even if deal isn't reached before Friday. Tuesday, June 27, 2006 • By SARAH CASSI • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | School district and union officials will meet Wednesday to discuss a teachers contract two days before the agreement is set to expire. It marks the second meeting in two weeks between the two sides. Barbara Alderfer, president of the Phillipsburg Education Association, said she's not concerned about the deadline; the two sides will continue to negotiate if a deal isn't reached before Friday. "We're working on it," Alderfer said, adding she was encouraged a second meeting was called so soon after last Wednesday's meeting. "Both sides would like to see this over with." Negotiations for the last union contract lasted for nine months in 2003. The approved 2003-2006 contract included longer school days for teachers and 4 percent raises in 2003, 3.85 percent in 2004-05 and 3.75 in 2005-06. Educators received another 3 percent to compensate for the additional time. About 74 percent of the 363 teachers approved that contract. The median teacher salary for the school district in 2005-06 is $56,218, according to the state Department of Education. Alderfer said the union's three concerns for the new contract are time, insurance and money. "We will not accept a contract with anymore time added to our day," Alderfer said. District and union officials have been negotiating since November. Talks were put on hold after March in anticipation of the school board elections and to allow a new school board negotiation team to be appointed. The new team includes board members Kevin DeGerolamo, James Hanisak, Thomas McGuire, Salvatore Patti and new board President Paul Rummerfield. DeGerolamo said the two sides made some headway at their meeting last Wednesday. "It's a process," DeGerolamo said. The union contract isn't the only contract the school board will need to address. The board approved 2006-2007 contracts for nonunion employees, including bus drivers, lunchroom aides and administrative staff Monday night. Salaries for those positions will be set at a later date. Business Administrator Bill Poch said the contract for supervisors, including athletic and department directors, will also expire Friday. Poch said district and union officials have not formally met on that contract, but plan to meet in the coming weeks. Reporter Sarah Cassi can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at scassi@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.