Pickets appear at P'burg school No contract frustrates district employees. Friday, February 09, 2007 • By DANIEL HAUSMANN • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | For the first time since their contracts expired in July, teachers formed a picket line outside of a school. Five members of the Phillipsburg Education Association stood under the Early Childhood Learning Center's awning holding placards and handing out fliers Thursday evening. Parents were attending a literacy night and association President Barbara English called it an opportunity to get them to understand the teachers' plight. "We are still working with no contract," English said. "We want the parents to understand where we are." The union and school district have a negotiating session with a mediator Tuesday night. Negotiations have stalled on salary, length of day and health insurance. English said the school wants teachers to pay toward their premiums. The education association represents 350 teachers. Thursday night's small showing was intentional because the union didn't want the display to be overpowering. The informational picket line had nothing to do with a statewide display by New Jersey employees regarding health care. High school math and computer teacher Chuck Mowalk said his fellow educators are starting to get anxious. "People want to know they have a contract to work with," Mowalk said. District Personnel Committee Chairman Kevin DeGerolamo said actions like Thursday's demonstration won't hinder the negotiating process. DeGerolamo has high hopes for Tuesday's mediation. "Come next Tuesday, I think we're going to get the contract," DeGerolamo said. "I want to get it done next Tuesday." DeGerolamo said once the schools and union settle on health insurance and percentage of salary increases, everything else will fall into place. Teachers may have to give a little bit on health coverage. "The board is pretty firm on them contributing something," DeGerolamo said. English said the union won't have any other demonstrations until after Tuesday's mediation. The school board meets Monday night and previous board meetings have seen an increase in teacher attendance. English expects a big crowd of teachers on the eve of the mediation. "I expect mediation to help us get a contract," English said. The median salary for the district in 2005-06 was $56,218, according to the state Department of Education. The state median average for a K-12 district is $53,871. Reporter Daniel Hausmann can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at dhausmann@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used by NJ.com with permission.