Tentative Agreement On New Contract Reached In Neshaminy School District
by Tim Jimenez
LANGHORNE, Pa., (CBS) - There's been a breakthrough in the long-running contract dispute between the Neshaminy School District and its teachers union.
Both sides reached a tentative agreement that, if approved, would end a heated five-year battle.
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Leaders from the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers and the school board talked throughout the holiday weekend to hammer out an agreement.
NFT Vice President Anne Schmidt says, despite a difficult five years including two strikes in 2012, it never got too personal for both sides to come together.
"At some point you have to sit across the table, you have to talk to each other, you have to compromise and move it forward," said Schmidt.
Schmidt says they can now focus only on doing what they do best.
"We're teachers and guidance counselors, nurses and psychologists and we enjoy that. This was very difficult. It was difficult for the community, it was difficult for the teachers and I think it gives us a commitment back to our roots," said Schmidt.
The specifics have not been released, the union would only say the deal addresses some professional issues important to teachers and students. Members will vote on ratification on Monday.
On the other side, school board President Ritchie Webb says they'll have a special board meeting within the next few weeks. He's hoping this really is the end of this long and public dispute.
"It's been an issue that has certainly been on the minds of our taxpayers as well as our children. But ultimately we exist for the kids so we're happy to get this solved," said Webb.
"We're happy to see this and are hopeful this is the end and we would like to see a contract and a new beginning for Neshaminy," he said.
