TEACHERS' UNION DECLARES IMPASSE, CONTRACT TALKS OFF

It appears the teachers union negotiations between the school district and the South Orange Maplewood Education Association have reached an impasse.

The union has declared a statement of impasse with the state (below) this month. It indicates the union represents 695 staffers and that the board has offered a 38-page proposal, but with no salary increase or other offer.

At Monday's Board of Education meeting, Board Member Sandra Karriem, who heads the negotiating committee, said the union had walked away from the table, but did not disclose any specific offers that had been made.

The current contract, reached two years ago after nearly two years of bitter negotiations, expires June 30.