Ho-Ho-Kus February 24, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Teachers, school board reach fact-finding stage by Jennifer Crusco After a year of contract negotiations, the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Association and the Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education have reached the fact-finding stage. Last week, Superintendent Deborah Ferrara told Villadom TIMES the state had presented both parties with a list of three names. The board and the association were each asked to strike one name and then number their first and second choices. The state will now appoints a fact-finder who will visit the district, hear from both sides, discuss their needs, and make a non-binding recommendation for a new contract. “I am hopping to settle the matter as quickly as possible, but the fact-finding process takes time,” Ferrara acknowledged. The board of education recently hired an attorney, Anthony Sciarrillo, to assist the board in the fact-finding process. A school official explained that the board is required to hire an attorney when negotiations reach the fact-finding stage. In a statement issued last week, the Ho-Ho-Kus Education Association confirmed that both sides are currently awaiting the state’s appointment of a fact finder. According to the statement, the HEA is “following the process as outlined by law. We look forward to resolving the bargaining crisis and settling a fair contract that maintains our quality public schools. We cannot discuss any of the issues related to bargaining at this time.” In recent months, the association and the board had three meetings with state-appointed mediator Kathleen Vogt, but were unable to reach an agreement. Both sides began the contract negotiations process in January 2009. The contract between the board of education and the HEA, the organization that represents the district’s teachers and other union employees, expired June 30, 2009. The school district previously reported that talks had resulted in a memorandum of agreement jointly signed by the parties’ negotiators in May 2009, but a majority of the HEA members did not ratify the terms of that proposed contract. Last May, Villadom TIMES reported that the members of the Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education and teachers were working on the terms of a new contract for the district’s educators. A school board official reported that, despite the difficult financial circumstances, both sides were handling the matter professionally. Neither party involved has released details concerning the contract talks or the contract that was not ratified. ������������������������ ��������������������������� ����������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ����������� ����� ������ ��� �������� ���� ��� ��������������� � ������������ ���������� ����� ��� ����� ��� ���� ��������� ����� ����������������������������������������������� • • • • Income Tax Preparation Personal Taxes � Business Taxes Competitive Rates � Quality Returns Offices in Mahwah and Ramsey, NJ 201-512-0300 n_buonfiglio@smallbizpros.com Tax Consulting and Preparation Monthly Financial Reporting Business Advice & Growth Complete Payroll Services But STILL can’t lose that Tummy or Cellulite? Call me about VelaShapeTM A NEW Nonsurgical method of Fat reduction and body contouring • Non-invasive • No Anesthesia • No Downtime Beverly Dunn, MD Waldwick, NJ • 201-445-0032 Dieting? Working Out? ��������������������������������������� ��������������������� ������������������� $25 Off Your Income Tax Return! Just Mention This Ad (Offer Expires 03/31/10) 2-24-10 Joan/Janine VanderSterre2x2(2-24-10) 2 x 2” Winter specials available now for a limited time only. Call Robin at 973-636-7000