Members of the teachers’s union, Princeton Regional Education Association (PREA), and parent supporters turned out to celebrate Princeton’s “lighthouse district” schools last week just prior to the April 9 session between union negotiators and members of the Princeton Public Schools Board of Education (BOE).

The event, described as a Community Unity Rally, brought a festive feeling to the lawn in front of the district administration building on Valley Road with more than 200 people attending.

They heard a statement from Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) read by Kari Osmond and remarks by guest speaker Shirley Satterfield; teacher Bryan McKenna played guitar and sang, and members of the Princeton University Juggling Club performed.

PREA solicited and received many donations from area businesses including Bon Appetit, Hoagie Haven, Terra Momo Learning Kitchen, Bai, Olives, House of Cupcakes, Tico’s Juice Bar, and Jazams, among others. Picture books were collected for the Princeton Nursery School and non-perishable food items for the Crisis Ministry of Mercer County.

PREA Chief Negotiator John Baxter and PREA President Joanne Ryan addressed the crowd before sitting down with their BOE counterparts. The two sides had failed to reach agreement when they met face-to-face on Thursday, March 26.

But some parents see the fact that the most recent negotiating sessions have been conducted without the help of state-appointed mediator Kathy Vogt, Esq. as a positive sign. Parent and Save our Schools member Jennifer Lea Cohan described the face-to-face nature of the meetings as “encouraging.”

This is the second time the two sides have met without Ms. Vogt since March 26, which BOE negotiator Patrick Sullivan described as “a constructive negotiation session” that had resulted in “material progress on the key issues of salary and benefits.” After the March 26 talks, Mr. Sullivan said “I think it is fair to say that both sides are happy with the progress we made last night.”

PREA negotiator Mr. Baxter seemed to agree. “The face-to-face negotiation session on March 26 was a more efficient, effective way of communicating and working compared to the mediation format,” he said. “Questions were asked and answers provided, or areas needing work to provide answers were identified.”

While neither side would reveal details of their recent talks, it seems clear that progress is being made. They are due to meet again today, April 15.

So far, neither side has requested to move to the fact-finding stage, which would follow mediation if no progress was being made.

Since July 1, teachers in Princeton’s public schools have been working under the terms of their previous 2011-2014 contract.

“Patrick [Sullivan] and I both feel that the parties made meaningful progress towards compromise on March 26 and again on April 9 with respect to the key open items of salaries and health benefits,” commented Board President Andrea Spalla yesterday. “The Board team is eager for our April 15 meeting so we can continue to work towards a resolution.”