HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A contract agreement including salary raises between the Hillsborough Township Board of Education and the Hillsborough Education Association was unanimously ratified on Monday night.
"This contract shows that a collaborative process leads to an outcome that balances the needs of the stakeholders across the community. The expedient manner in which it was completed demonstrates improved communication and relationships that will benefit all parties, with the primary beneficiary being the students," said Board President Paul Marini.
The three-year contract includes an increase. Per the attorney's remarks, the annual increase for salaries inclusive of longevity is 3 percent. The increase in stipends for coaches and advisors is 3 percent over the three-year period.
The current contract expires at the close of the current school year and the newly agreed upon finalized contract will be in effect beginning July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.
The increases would be applied in the second year of the contract. There will be no increase in the first or third year, according to the board's attorney.
"We are pleased that a collaborative approach led to an agreement prior to the expiration of the current contract and that employees will begin next year with the security of a new contract," said Michael Callahan with Hillsborough Schools.
"Having a contract in place for our members prior to the expiration of the current one after the difficulty and uncertainty of the past few years is a welcomed outcome. Allowing members to enter the new school year with the assurance of a new contract represents a commitment from both sides to what is best for our schools, our students and our members," said Hillsborough Education Association President Henry Goodhue.
The two sides previously signed a memorandum of agreement on a tentative contract agreement on Dec. 2 following several hours of talks. Read More: Hillsborough Teachers, School Reach Tentative Contract
This agreement came much more easily this time around after the last agreement in 2019 that took more than a year of negotiations. Read More: Hillsborough Teacher Contract Tentatively Settled
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