Teachers deserve an equitable contract in Marlboro K-8 schools

That's it! As a parent of two school age children in the Marlboro K-8 School District, I am extremely angry and frustrated with the Marlboro Board of Education, and their unrelenting refusal to agree to the fact-finder's report.

I am a taxpaying resident of Marlboro for 13 years. The main reason my husband and I chose to move to Marlboro was because the school district was highly rated and we felt good about sending our children to school.

Here are some facts. The Marlboro teachers' salaries, as shown in the fact-finder's report, are not competitive to corporate America. The New Jersey Department of Education developed a system that compares similar districts, known as District Factor Group.

When the fact-finder "viewed Marlboro to comparison districts,

was found that Marlboro's average teacher salary, and especially its maximum salaries don't keep pace" (Fact-Finder Report 2009).

For that reason alone, the teachers should not pay into their insurance. Why not change insurance to the New Jersey State Health Plan like other districts? You can probably save thousands of dollars per employee.

The teachers are willing to accept the fact-finder's report, they have maintained a professional demeanor as they continue to show up for work every day, and continue to do all they can to educate their students. They haven't done anything that wasn't in the best interest of the children.

Let's discuss the typical teachers' day. They arrive to school early, after spending late afternoon and evening hours grading papers, writing lesson plans, as well as calling and meeting with parents.

Once at work, the teachers take full responsibility of our children, and provide them with a phenomenal education, while at the same time helping them with their social emotional growth and peer interactions.

In addition, they are constantly required to ensure that each child performs well on the state and district mandated standardized tests.

It is an outrageous affront to our district educators that they should be treated in this manner. This town always stood for education.

As stated in the fact-finder's report by Superintendent of Schools David Abbott, "The community has been supportive of its schools and their needs. The district budget has passed 83 percent of the time over the last six years."

Dr. Abbott further stated that we have "a reputation as a school district of academic excellence" and that "This reputation has consistently attracted families seeking an excellent education for their school age children."

If we can't give our educators a contract they are worthy of, then our town will no longer attract families or innovative teachers.

It is the responsibility of the elected board to ensure our children's future by making sure that our teachers have an equitable contract.

I urge the board to reconsider the state-appointed fact-finder's compromise settlement, or negotiate a fair resolution with the Marlboro Township Education Association with the state-appointed superconciliator on Nov. 9.

Marla Wein

Marlboro