Lol! Just because it is in print doesn't make it so. Teachers chose not to participate in graduation, teachers refused to write reccomendation letters, strategically only offer extra help on Thursdays, protest at school spotlights and care so much for our children walk out on them during the creramony. If that's the high road I'd hate to see what they consider playing dirty. Actions speak louder than words.

Angus - First, there were dozens of teachers who did in fact attend the graduation. There were a few others that did participate. Second, teachers NEVER refused to write recommendation (notice the spelling my friend) letters. I checked this with teachers who I am friends with in the community. I also checked this with parents who have children who needed recommendation letters. Speaking of checking, you need to check your facts and your spelling!!!! Oh, I almost forgot... Not one teacher walked out on the graduation ceremony. If you are referring to the other ceremony that took place during the BOE meeting, you might want to check your facts with your Kinnelon BOE who were happy to tell the story from their point of view. The teachers were advised to leave from the BOE in advance. They were concerned with space as the meeting was to be heavily attended by parents. Incidentally, I was one of those parents!!! Yes, I checked that fact as well. Get your facts straight next time when you post on the Patch!

NJ Taxpayer - You are so right. I will quote you, "Teachers... have worked so hard to give the community and the school district what they deserve." Let's look at the facts (Angus feel free to look this all up as it is 100% accurate/true.) 1) Kinnelon High School ranks 5th in the state. Incidentally, Kinnelon High School is ranked higher than: Millburn, Livingston, and yes that's right Mountain Lakes!!! Many of you will say well that's just NJ Monthly rankings. Ok- lets delve into that in more detail then. See # 2. 2) HSPA - 100% of the Kinnelon Students are proficient in Language Arts and 97% are proficient in Math. 3) Kinnelon High School students also met or exceeded the DFG in SAT scores. 4) Stonybrook - Every grade outdid their DFG's counterparts in the advanced proficient category in Math and Language Arts. The Kinnelon students' success without question is due to the parents, teachers, and students working together as a team. We parents are rewarded knowing that our children are on the road to success to a path towards college. (I know there are some exceptions where some Kinnelon students choose a different path such as entering the work force right away. They too are prepared and ready for that challenge.). I personally would like to thank the teachers with a new contract. I just wish we could give you more than the 2% allowed.

Fire them all. Put an ad in the NY Times and advertise for replacements. More than 75% of our taxes are paying for salaries and pensions, plus 2 month vacations. For what? Other people can do their jobs. We got along without Air Traffic Controllers for a period and we can certainly get along without teachers until replacements are found.

Teachers, yes your passive-aggressive behavior could become a lot worse-look at Chicago. But I think you know, teaching in Kinnelon is a nice place to work, after all, you don't need combat pay. You are supported and respected by administration, parents, students, and even the BOE. The problem arises when there just isn't anymore to give. You assume the parents and taxpayers of Kinnelon have a bottomless money pit. I'm sure you own homes and are taxpayers yourselves. Also, although your profession is honorable, you can't put creedance above anyone else's. We should all unionize our professions to make sure we get mandatory raises and healthcare and pensions. As for Ms. Walsh, please don't placate Kinnelonians nor think that we are naive, it'll just create more animosity against the teacher's union which is then misplaced on all of our teachers. Unions, which protect the worst teachers and creates a profession which "eats their young". Like many school districts, we have to do more with less, maybe it's time to re-examin elliminating some positions such as the music program-to feed the hungry wolves.

(Continued from previous post)
Yes, Kinnelon rose to no.5 in NJ Monthly's ratings (which is not a real "note worthy" survey), we are ALL proud. But more importantly, wasn't the contract the same when we were higher in the rankings? Oh, I know, no.5 was the year we had an exceptionally bright class (we've heard THAT ONE before)? BTW, regarding the "award" meeting when the teachers left? Whether you were told to leave or not (I have heard contrary that you were asked to leave)? Use your best judgement. Act professionally, don't cave to peer pressure, there was plenty of room for you to stay and it would have gone a long way toward appreciation by the parents. If you REALLY want to settle, settle and stop the behavior. As a taxpayer, parent, employee, the behavior just makes me more unsympathetic.

The BOE should start a movement towards creating a Charter School District. This effort would give the tax payers of the boro the greatest amount of economic relief. The property tax rate in Kinnelon is starting to have an ill effect on home values in our community. Let's be forward thinking and get this issue resolved in a manner that will allow our community to thrive. There are many Charter School Districts that provide an excellent education throughout the US and it is the wave of the future.

The Union must think the taxpayers are stupid. The Union wants us to believe the propaganda they put out there. The truth is it takes two to Tango. Both sides have the right to negotiate the best deal possible. The Union would like the Parents to believe that the Union wants to settle. I am sure the BOE has presented a proposal that if the KEA accepted the contract would be settled immediatetly.

(continued)The Union would like us to believe their actions are purely coincidental. The only party taking the high road here is the BOE. They are not doling out consequences for showing up late, they are not boycotting graduation or walking out on award ceremonies they have just simply advocated for our children by expressing their concern about the organized movement regarding extra help all being on the same day. So if a student needs extra help in Math and English the student must choose between the 2 and wait for the next week for the other. A little advice for the Union, act like professionals and the community will support your efforts and it can lead to a meaningful resolution to your differences. Continue to act like thugs and you will lose the support of the community. Parents make up the majority of the taxpayers and I can assure you we just do not have the money to continue paying for the outrageous contract. And yes I have read it and I can not believe the deal you had cut previously. If the BOE would put the full contract on the website the parents would rally even harder for the BOE. The Union has enjoyed lavish pay and benefits and perks we can no longer afford. In stead of the Union saying Thank you for all the years of support they move to hurt our children so the parents will cave in and pressure the BOE to settle.

(Continued)That is not happening as we are in a different ERA and the old school union tactics will no longer work. We just can not afford the cost any more. So if you want to settle take the offer on the table and say thank you, for those teachers who arent happy go teach in an abbot district.

"John" you're a moron. If you think teachers, especially those who were part of a district ranked 5th in the state, have no skill, craft, or dedication you need to start visiting a school or subbing. Secondly, how can some of you just keep pushing settle when none of you or even the BOE itself, knows the details of the contract or concessions made by teachers. You need to realize you're not just negotiating with your own town but surrounding towns as well. In the private sector if your company's rival is offering better salary, benefits, etc, would you put your application in? Teaching is the same way and what's happening already is teachers, in your top 5 district, are sending out their applications. This BOE is dragging their feet cause they know the teachers will continue to go on doing everything the same. Now the union throws them a little hiccup, after over 15 months of no contract, and now there's a problem? This BOE is taking the approach if it's not broke don't fix it. Wake up people. The BOE wants much harsher restrictions than Christie himself. And if your school ranking goes down so does your property value. Um, what?

The reason the school was ranked number 5 is based on test scores. The test scores have jumped because one of Kinnelon's best teachers, Mr. Jackson, started a tutoring firm that specializes in Kinnelon students. So laughable that the KHS administration take credit for this.

Tyler, that is the funniest Joke I have ever heard! LMAO!

Wouldn't it be great if the education association's contract was required to be posted on every district website. At least then we would all have the facts to make our own educated decision. With 50-60% of taxes supporting education and benefits coming in around 35-40% of salary this is one document we should all have. It is required to post the Superintendents and Business Administrator's contract. Many districts post their budget. Why not post the document that has the greatest impact and influences the budget the most. Every parent should ask for a copy of the teachers contract and get educated.

I agree with Cathy. Kinnelon BOE please post the contract on the district website. In this day of technology it seems like it should be done in the interest of transparency.
Maybe the Patch can get a copy and post it. this way we can see what they really get over and above their current salaries. It would also be great if the BOE could post the Salary stipends and extra pay all the teachers get in this district. Come on BOE post it so we can all see it.

There are several websites that post all public employee positions salaries. What you won't find are the proposals that the BOE is proposing because those are all in negotiation meetings. I do now that this BOE is being overly aggressive in their concessions and seeking much harsher fees than what Christie wants. Again, you may or may not agree with these concessions but you must keep in mind that you are also negotiating with neighborhood towns. To attract the best teacher you must have an appealing contract. If you are okay with these great teachers leaving town than so be it. The reason you have 50%+ of taxes going to education is because of the flat out number of teachers that are employed. And I see there is enough money to do plenty of athletic renovations. There's probably a couple hundred teachers compared to an estimated what 30-40 cops in town?

In all honesty Kinnelon teachers are paid far in excess of neighboring towns. In fact the salaries are at the top of the scale. So where can they go for more money? Not around here. Let them go if the grass is greener. There are plenty of quality teachers around that would love the chance to work in our district. That's called a free market. These teachers with tenure can whine all they want they won't leave the current pay rate and risk losing tenure. Get real. Go BOE!

There you go again, pinning one occupation against another. If you actually LIVED in Kinnelon, you would realize that there are not nearly enough police to cover our area plus the drugs coming down Rt 23. Or maybe you prefer the kids are drugged out so you don't have to actually teach them? If the teachers have it so bad in Kinnelon, there's the door, try to get a job in the top 4. News flash! The reason we pay so much taxes in Kinnelon is because we have no ratables as far as the school tax it's because the parents have blindly voted the budget in year after year, supporting the school system aka: teachers. The money train has crashed! Start negotiating reasonably!

Just wondering if this is a direct correlation or not, but it seems all of those who are opposed to the teachers are posting messages between the hours of 8-6 which means:

1. They are retired and hate the new educational system
2. They have no job and hate the educational system all together
3. They have a job and are very unprofessional by taking "work time" to post messages on a message board
4. They are stay at home parents, have finished all the house work for the day and need to vent
5. They are just bored Americans who have everything they will ever need and never had to work a day in their lives

How about getting involved in the community in which they want changed instead of posting hateful messages on here? How about you volunteer your time, help out in after school programs, take a college course, or have family dinner together. Maybe those are the things that need to change in the community and not the teacher's contracts. This communities sense of "entitlement" is starting to show.

Yes there's definitely not enough cops to give tickets for rolling through a stop sign or breaking up high school parties. I was able to google within a matter of 3 minutes mountain average salary which looks much nicer than kinnelon. Lastly, if you have an issue with me comparing 1 occupation to another than how about we stop comparing the private to the public sector. You have no clue whether or not I live in the town. I volunteer for a lot in this town, I'm cutting that out now, charging for everything now thanks.

Patch, I think you meant Mountain Lakes. If you ARE a teacher, there's the door, but I doubt you can get a job there, too much tenure invested in Ktown? Regarding your "volunteer" time, a leopard doesn't change their spots.... Either you volunteer for your love of something, get personal satisfaction and really feel you can make a difference or you do it for the accolades and are on a powertrip, and you're not doing it because you WANT to. If it is the former, you wouldn't be so quick to give it up. NJ taxpayer,based on your savvy analysis and times posted, you could be the same person as Patch, you sound like a typical democrat-bob and weave, resort to name calling, issue personal attacks, but don't address the issues. To both of you, if you ARE teachers, you should put as much effort into your lesson plans than analyzing posters online. Besides, don't you have tests to grade, papers to correct, supplies to buy, etc. in your evenings? NJ, here's one for you, maybe they work nights or two jobs just to pay your salary and benefits. ;)

PATCH can use some assistance on spelling and grammar. Should also check the definition of volunteer, as was explained correctly by Night Shift.

Well I can see that John is either unemployed or posting on this website from work. 9:23 huh? Shouldn't you be doing other things on your computer. Work maybe? Sorry couldn't get on this website cause during my prep I had to sit with 2 principals and explain the fight that I BROKE UP and how my coworker has scratches all over his arm due to him breaking up the fight too. Then he was made fun of by the kids for not being strong enough to break 2 kids apart. Should I just let the kids kill each other next time and stick to my contract? No I'm not a teacher in Kinnelon but I am very close with many of them. I am an inner city high school teacher, just about all of you would cry after 1 day at my job. All I'm saying is get the FULL story on this contract issue. The BOE is going into meetings UNAWARE of what the union has offered. Their negotiators weren't even relaying information back to the board. There's many things that the teachers and most union members can't say because in their contract is a gag order with the media. The BOE loves the fact that they're basically the only side that can get any press. I will tell you from a good source that a board member has been quoted saying they plan on publicly bashing teachers and waiting them out long enough until they fold and give in. Nice.

Patch, it sounds like you have many unresolved issues that need to be addressed. There are many good professionals out there, I can understand inner city teachers would suffer from PTSD. I'm sure that your healthcare plan would cover it. If you are truly in the inner city, you would think the Ktown teachers are in Shang-ri -la. I'm sorry I don't believe "good sources" unless the "source" would go on the record. You've lost your credibility.

Nj taxpayer, I don't get it. You are not a teacher, but you want to quit volunteering because you feel unappreciated by the community? As far as teachers being in the middle? They can do something, if the union is at fault, stand up to them. Your perfect storm is the fact that the taxpayers can't afford it!! But the teachers still follow their union's orders , like drones, and ask for more, more, more and there isn't anymore to give. When times were good, Kinnelon taxpayers voted budgets in and supported the teachers, unquestioning. Now, with the recession, we don't have it. Instead of saying thank you for supporting us all those years, they choose to protest at back to school night, walk out on award ceremonies, and cut extra help!

Clown, apparently your reading comprehension needs a little work. If you look back I said that educators have a gag order in their contract. Secondly, what unresolved issues are you speaking of. Lastly, if the teaching gig is so nice why didn't you go into teaching. Please provide excuse below.............

Kinnelon Teachers, I know most of you ( The real Professionals) do not agree with the recent organized efforts handed down by you UNION leadership and do not drink the Koolaide. Unfortunately you are intimidated by the UNION Leadership. I urge the true professionals to not participate with the UNION tactics. We all try to teach our children to stand up for what is right. You all have an opportunity to take advantage of a teachable moment. We tell our children to stand up to the bullies and to protect those being bullied. Show this community you are above this and do what is right. Do not picket demanding a settlement. If the leadership wants you to do it, tell them to. Show the leadership at the UNION how the high road is taken. This is the time for the great teachers in our community to shine and show the parents that you are real professionals that care about our children. If not go ahead do the extra help on Thursdays, don't participate in the many events and celebrations of our children's accomplishments, leave at the bell and do all the things the union wants you to do. The UNION is there to protect the worst teachers and we have many . Challenge yourselves to separate yourselves from the peer pressure and do what is right. You have the chance to do that now. Do not and the community will see all the teachers as the same the Massive teachers UNION doing what ever it takes to get what they want regardless of the cost and whom they hurt in the process.

I am sick and tired of the whining by the parents about taxes. Their children drive better cars than us teachers, can afford manicures and every toy imagined Teachers in our district are underpaid. So what if we only hold extra help on Thursdays. That's with in our contract. If you want to change that then let the board negotiate iit. We deserve better pay and benefits and if it means the BOE has to lay off some younger inexperienced teachers to do it, the. So be it. We have the right to picket and voice out opinions. Get used to it.

I find it hard to believe that any of you will do this, but here goes.

The next Board of Education meeting is on September 27, 2012 at 8:00pm in the Kinnelon High School Auditorium.

I think you should go and see what a Board meeting really is. You should go and voice your opinion. I have been to meetings before and many of the teachers are there. You can ask them yourselves in person about the situation.

GoKEA you bring up a huge point. The minimal increase in tax is a real deal breaker while little Johnny rolls into school with a brand new license and fresh BMW off the lot. The parents also don't help their cause by storming into the main or central office every time little Suzy gets an A- instead of an A. I've heard plenty of shameful stories. Let the kids grow up and handle themselves. The emails, phone calls, and meetings some of these teachers need to go through are often obnoxious. The teachers in this town are forced to be on-call 24/7 because the emails & phone calls coming from parents request immediate responses.

We all need to remember where the Kinnelon taxpayer's money goes. The cost of educating a student in Kinnelon is $13,000/year. The cost per student in the inner city schools can easily be $25,000. Where do you think that money comes from? The Kinnelons across the state.

Fire them all? Let's remember how well replacement refs did. And remember that housing values are tied to school quality. I can't wait to see what's in the fact finding.

Fact finding fact finding. Who cares? Unions are there for the worst teachers. Here it is, 2 percent cap on taxes. So if the union gets an increase that causes taxes to rise above the 2%, what happens? We remove teachers based on seniority not based on quality. Result we have less teachers and more students in the class rooms. Who gets hurt all of us. You can not get blood from a stone. Those good teachers who are lower on the seniority tree get cut, bad teachers higher up get rewarded and our children get the shaft. Wake up!