HEA Statement on Negotiations
While it is true that following five months of negotiations and two mediation sessions with a state appointed mediator, the Hillsborough Education Association (HEA) and the Hillsborough Board of Education have been unable to achieve a settlement, much of what the Board has presented is not.
The Board informed the public in attendance at the Monday, August 26th board meeting that the HEA requested the second mediation session on August 14, 2019. This factually incorrect assertion was later refuted by HEA President, Henry Goodhue, and eventually confirmed by the Board’s attorney, Stephen Fogarty, that he had in fact contacted the HEA’s representative and state appointed mediator to arrange the meeting.
To be clear, the members of the HEA Negotiations Team honored the Board’s request for a meeting on August 14, 2019 with the intent to achieve a fair and equitable contract before the start of the new school year. Unfortunately, however, at a time where our district is seeing a shortage of applicants and vacancies in crucial positions, the Board remained focused on pursuing proposals that were not in line with county trends and would further erode our district’s success. The Board’s “extreme disappointment” at the HEA’s inability to accept such proposals is surprising as it not only shows an unwillingness to settle this matter amicably, but also belies their true intentions when it comes to attracting and retaining the best candidates for our students and schools. This is further exacerbated by the Board’s insistence on remaining tone deaf to the residents’ demands as it continues to force the community, students and employees of Hillsborough to fill budget gaps created by the administrative leadership’s fiscal mismanagement and a basic complicity in allowing it to continue.
Regrettably, the Board’s recent statement is yet another example of its inability to effectively communicate with the public in the spirit of transparency. This failure is only further exemplified by the fact that the Board continues to withhold that they have already budgeted the funds to settle the contract, are anticipating a surplus of $1.6 million in the upcoming school year and are slated to receive $837,794 in extraordinary aid—an increase of nearly $320,000—from the state over last year.
Moreover, the Board would like the public to believe it has invested the Rutgers’ Labor Management Collaboration Initiative. The fact remains that Board members attended few training sessions and were not involved in the actual implementation of this endeavor. Sadly, this initiative has stagnated as the Board and Dr. Schiff do not appreciate the commitment and spirit of cooperation needed to ensure its success.
Most notably, however, was the Board’s reference to its involvement in the “BORO Pride” initiative. While it is true that Dr. Lisa Antunes played a role in the initial stages of development this initiative, the Board was not involved at any time. Furthermore, the Board has refused to respond to invitations from the HEA to take part in BORO Pride events and has yet to be involved. We are proud of the work we have accomplished through BORO Pride with partners like the Township Committee, Police, Fire, Rotary Club, UNICO and the Business Committee. We are disappointed that the Board chooses not to participate in celebrations of BORO Pride, but we are incensed at the suggestion that they were instrumental in its inception and success.
The HEA remains committed to settling a contract representative of the excellence and dedication of our members, and one that safeguards the success of our district and students. We strongly encourage the Board to cease the needless expense of taxpayer dollars on legal fees and commit to settling a contract that will keep Hillsborough's schools among the best in the state. We also encourage the Board to embrace transparency and facts when communicating with the public.
