Ho-Ho-Kus September 29, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 Educators press district for new contract by Jennifer Crusco Last week’s back to school night in Ho-Ho-Kus was prefaced by a rally held by teachers who are pressing for a new contract. The Ho-Ho-Kus Education Association and the HoHo-Kus Board of Education are still in the fact-finding stage, and both parties are now awaiting the fact-finder’s official report. Superintendent Deborah Ferrara reported that a hearing with the fact-finder has been set for Dec. 8. The teachers and the board began contract negotiations in January 2009 in anticipation of the June 30, 2009 expiration of the prior contract agreement. However, the board and the teachers have not been able to agree on the terms of a new pact. Negotiations reached the fact-finding stage in February of this year. At that time, the New Jersey Public Employee Relations Commission presented the association and the board with a list of three fact-finders’ names. Each party was asked to strike one name and then rate the remaining candidates as first and second choices. Since that time, PERC appointed Timothy Hundley to handle the district’s case. Hundley’s responsibilities include visiting the district, and hearing from both sides to discuss their needs. He has also been charged with making a nonbinding recommendation for a new teachers’ contract. Hundley holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in labor relations from the University of Massachusetts. He is a member of the Association of Labor Relations Agencies. Hundley’s mediation and fact-finding experience includes being appointed to more than 70 cases since he retired from New Jersey PERC in April 2006. He has served as PERC’s director of conciliation and arbitration, and was responsible for the administration of all the commission’s mediation, fact-finding, conciliation, and super-conciliation procedures. He was also responsible for the appointment, training, and supervision of PERC staff and ad hoc mediators. Hundley is an arbitrator and mediator. As required, the board of education has also retained attorney Anthony Sciarrillo to assist the board with the fact-finding process. Before reaching fact-finding, the association and the board held three meetings with state-appointed mediator Kathleen Vogt, but were unable to reach an agreement. 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 proposal. No details concerning the talks or the contract that was not ratified have been released. Emmanuel Cancer Foundation (continued from page 6) support to help them get through a major illness like cancer. Please remember that we do not charge anything for our services. Consider becoming a volunteer, or just stop by and meet with us, take a look at our pantry, and see what ECF is all about. Volunteers are welcome to assist on Monday from 10 to 1, Wednesday from 1 to 5, and all day on Friday. Call (201) 612-8118 before you stop by. Please do not leave items at the center without checking with us first. Our storage space is limited. The Northern Regional Center is located at 174 Paterson Avenue, Midland Park, NJ 07432. Please visit us on the web at: www.emmanuelcancer.org. As always, thank you for helping the children and their families! A personal note from David Johnson: I never imagined writing my last article for ECF. I have had the privilege of being the northern regional director for over 12 years. As such, part of my duties included writing this article nearly every week. Unfortunately, I have had to talk about real people in tough, dire circumstances. Luckily, I have been able to witness countless miracles and acts of kindness by many readers in our community. Those miracles people in need. That has been the best part of the job -- meeting the wonderful people who give the items needed for our families, who volunteer time, and who contribute to our cause. The other part of the work that has deeply impacted me has been the incredible opportunity to speak with the parents of kids diagnosed with cancer and to witness the courage they bring forth when facing unbearable circumstances. That courage has always inspired me. By the time that you read this, Laura Savage will be the new regional director. By background, she is a case worker and fully understands the circumstances the families face. She welcomes your support on all levels, and I urge you to contact her and let her know how you might be able to help. ECF’s biggest needs remain: people to help write a check, people to coordinate a fundraiser, and people to help put a few hours in each week volunteering. 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