Teachers union, board agree Approval still pending in White Twp. Education association official says both sides yielded some. Friday, March 16, 2007 • BY LYNN OLANOFF • The Express-Times WHITE TWP. | After more than nine months without a contract, White Township teachers and the school board reached a tentative agreement early Thursday morning. District and teachers union officials declined to release the agreement's details until both the board and teachers approve the terms. White Township Education Association President Henry Skirbst said both sides gave some in the negotiations. "Although I am not yet at liberty to discuss the details of the agreement, it was achieved with concessions from both sides," he said. Chief School Administrator Linda Heilman called the tentative agreement "a very positive step." The teachers discussed the offer during an after-school meeting Thursday. A vote on the agreement and a new salary guide were to be scheduled later, Skirbst said. A special board meeting may be scheduled to consider the contract so it can be ready before the board's budget presentation March 26, Heilman said. The district's 46 teachers, aides, custodians and cafeteria workers have been working without a contract since June. The employees had been seeking a raise in line with the county average, which is 4.5 percent, a spokeswoman with the New Jersey Education Association has said. White's teachers also want to reduce the time it takes to reach the top of the salary scale, which now takes 37 years. Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com. © 2007 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission.