EAST ORANGE, NJ – The East Orange Board of Education is deeply disappointed to announce the current status of negotiations with the teachers’ union, East Orange Education Association (EOEA). Despite months of good-faith discussions, we were unable to reach an agreement on critical issues affecting East Orange’s educators, students, the community, and the future of our educational system.
After two years of operating under an expired contract, the EOEA and the East Orange Board of Education (the Board) reached a tentative agreement on the terms of a new contract on November 15, 2024. This agreement proposed a contract extension through 2027.
Under the proposed terms, the Board and the EOEA agreed to a five-year deal that included additional compensation of 15%, with multiple-step movements. In the first year, the parties agreed to a 2% payout to all members by December 31, 2024. In the second year, the parties agreed to a 2.25% payout. For the remainder of the contract, the members were to receive a total increase of 10.5% with five step movements. Additionally, the district increased the hourly rates for work performed after school and on weekends. Lastly, the district offered an enhanced dental plan and offered to contribute 25% of the cost for that plan.
On November 18, 2024, the Board of Education formally ratified the agreement, accepting the terms outlined, at its recent meeting, fulfilling its responsibility and demonstrating its commitment to finalizing a contract before the end of the calendar year. The Board prioritized this timeline to ensure that teachers would receive back paychecks by winter holiday season.
However, the next step in the process required EOEA membership to vote on and approve the terms of the agreement. It has since come to the Board’s attention that the majority of EOEA members voted to reject the proposed contract. The reasons for this decision have not been communicated to the Board.
The Board is disappointed by this outcome, as significant effort was dedicated to reaching a fair and equitable agreement for both parties. The negotiations represented a balance of “give and take,” with the Board agreeing to terms that pushed the district’s financial boundaries but ensured teachers would be financially supported for the great value they bring to the district.
Despite the district’s current fiscal challenges, including flat funding and a recent reduction in staff, the Board remained committed to ensuring that teachers would receive the benefits agreed-upon in the terms negotiated in the contract. At the core, the Board agreed to finalize the contract because it recognizes that our teachers are a quintessential part of impacting the lives and well-being of our children, the most precious part of our community. In good faith, the Board signed off, approved, and ratified the contract negotiated by the EOEA negotiation team, and we are deeply disappointed that the EOEA has not come to a unified agreement.
While this setback was unexpected, the Board reaffirms its dedication to achieving a resolution with the EOEA. We are committed to reaching an agreement that is fair, mutually beneficial, and reflective of the district’s fiscal reality. This commitment is underscored by the substantial financial sacrifices already made to address the needs of our educators, even amid ongoing budgetary constraints.
The Board’s negotiation team will be reaching out to the EOEA leadership to explore ways to assist members in fully understanding the terms of the agreement. We are open to providing additional clarification and support as needed to address any concerns raised by EOEA members.
The Board remains optimistic that both parties can continue to work together in good faith to finalize a contract that honors the contributions of our educators while safeguarding the district’s financial stability for the future.