A long running dispute between educators and administration in Cedar Grove, New Jersey is scheduled for civil mediation in June. For over a year now, the Cedar Grove Education Association on behalf of their district's educational staff have been in discussion with the Cedar Grove Board of Education over employment contracts. While the negotiations have been civil for the most part, the teachers and other staff are beginning to make their frustration known.

Teachers Working Minimally Until Mediation Services Reach Agreement

At the present time, all of the teachers in the district are only performing the work that they are contractually obliged to do. Only entering their respective buildings as little as they have to is just the start. Many of the extra, non-contractual activities have also been suspended.

What truly came as a shock to parents was another act of protest that the teachers have been doing. All of the children's artwork has been taken off of the bulletin boards and replaced with a single piece of paper reading, “Proud of Our Students.”

At first, the parents did not even realize this had happened. After each art show at the schools, it is routine that the children's art work is returned home. What caught their attention was that the art work started being sent home nearly every other day. Many parents, naturally, are disappointed at this.

Workplace Mediation Expectations Hopeful

Despite the teachers' acts of protest, both sides are hopeful to reach a speedy agreement in the civil mediation. Neither side is actively hostile to each other. According to the President of the Board of Education, while the teachers' protests are unfortunate, they have not breached their contracts as yet. He did mention that the Board is keeping an eye on the teachers' activities, and would be quick to intervene if they violate their contracts or interfere with the educational program.