Red Bank Regional Teachers, BOE Finalizing Labor Contract Settlement

After over two years of negotiations, the Red Bank Regional Board of Education and the teacher's union are close to finalizing a labor contract settlement.

The RBR Board of Education and the RBR Educational Association (RBREA) have both accepted the New Jersey State Fact Finder’s Report which stipulates the parameters of a labor agreement between the two entities through the 2013-2014 school year.

The findings of the report were presented to the Board of Education on April 17, 2013.

Approximately 150 teachers and office personnel employed by the board have been working without a contract since July, 2011. The terms and conditions of the expired agreement have remained in effect during the negotiations.

Their salaries and health benefits cost the board approximately $11.5 million in the 2010-2011 school year, according to a release by the board. Overall salary and health benefits for all board employees represent approximately 70 percent of the board's budget.

Members of both sides said they are happy an agreement is near.

“The Board is pleased and relieved that both the Board and the Association have accepted and affirmed the Fact Finder's Report," Emily Doherty, RBR Board Vice President and Chair of the Negotiations Committee, said in a release. "We anticipate developing the salary guides cooperatively in the next few weeks, and to continuing the school year positively and in good spirits, keeping students as our mutual priority.”

“The RBREA is satisfied that the Fact-Finder's Report was accepted in such a timely manner by both the Association and the Board of Education," Katie Blackwell, the Vice President of the Education Association said. " We look forward to working in concert with the Board to finalize a new contract.”

Red Bank Regional Superintendent Jim Stefankiewicz has said the specifics of the contract will be available to the public once all details have been finalized.