Cedar Grove Board, Teachers Reach Agreement

Members of the Cedar Grove Board of Education and the district's teacher's union announced late last week they have reached agreement on a new contract.

Although details of the tentative contract remain unclear, officials came to terms on the deal after negotiating for a year - including part of that time under the direction of a mediator.

“We are presently working out the details to the tentative agreement,” Cedar Grove Superintendent Dr. Gene Polles said, adding the agreement must now be ratified by both parties.

The Cedar Grove Education Association will present details of the agreement to members and hold a ratification vote, said Cedar Grove Education Association President Christopher Cannella.

“After we have ratified, the board would then also need to do the same,” he said.

Cannella said the ball is now in the teacher's court, but he does not yet know when the union will come together for a vote.

“This entire process can still take several weeks," he said.

Since its contract expired in June 2011, the union which represents the district's teachers, therapists, counselors, therapists, psychologists and social workers, has been working under terms of the now-expired contract.

“Final details still need to be worked out,” said Cedar Grove Board of Education President Frank Mandala. “We are hoping to have everything done rather quickly.