Sides 'Hopeful' for Contract Resolution By End of Summer

Despite of the Thursday, the Montville Township Education Association contract has still not been settled.

However, the school district superintendent and union representative have both confirmed that a new date has been established in August for the parties to once again meet with the state-appointed mediator who came to Montville Thursday.

Teachers dressed in red carried signs reading "Settle Now" beginning at about 4 p.m. Thursday in a demonstration to "greet the mediator." New Jersey Education Association Representative Vickie Walsh, who is helping to represent the MTEA in the negotiations process, said the meetings with the mediator lasted until about 10:30 p.m. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Fried said the mediator is scheduled to return on Aug. 30.

"We are hopeful a settlement will be reached at that time," Walsh said.

As for the nature of Thursday's meeting, Walsh said the meeting was an opportunity to share information with the mediator.

"The parties clarified their positions for the mediator," she said.

Fried said Thursday's meeting was "a very positive step forward."

"I'm pleased that those groups have decided, together, to bring a mediator into the picture," he added.

Fried said he is confident that the mediator will help bring both perspectives to the table so that the parties can come to some common grounds.