Last week’s announcement of a two-year extension of the contract between the Princeton School Board and the teachers’ union marks “a real game changer,” according to Board President Patrick Sullivan, in the relationship between the board and teachers that has in the past seen significant conflict over contract negotiations.

The original contract was scheduled to conclude in June of 2018. The new agreement, ratified by teachers on June 19 and approved by the board at a special meeting on June 20, extends the contract through 2020. 

“We are very proud to have this level of trust and cooperation with the PREA,” said Mr. Sullivan, “and we salute the vision of their negotiations team and of Superintendent Cochrane.” He noted that this early, amicable resolution ”allows all of us to focus on the meaningful changes we hope to bring about for the students in our schools.”

The agreement calls for 2.63 percent overall annual salary increases, in line with the final year of the original contract and comparable raises in other teachers’ contracts in Mercer County public school districts. The extension also maintains the shared-savings agreement associated with the funding of health benefits.

A joint statement issued by the board, the superintendent, and the Princeton Regional Education Association (PREA) presidents stated, “The contract extension represents both parties’ commitment to education, collaboration, and innovation to the benefit of our teachers, our students, and our community.”

The announcement went on to note the cooperation between the superintendent and the union during the past year and the “foundation of collaboration, mutual respect, and true partnership” that “enabled all parties to approach the contract extension negotiations with earnestness and good will.”

Theresa Cross, one of three PREA presidents, pointed to the joint statement as evidence in itself of “the collaborative means in which we continue to work together.”

Board members Bill Hare and Greg Stankiewicz, newly elected last November, both praised the positive attitudes, the spirit of partnership, and the successful efforts of all parties involved. Both also commented on the need to now look ahead to the larger issues of increasing enrollments and overcrowding, particularly at John Witherspoon and Princeton High School.

“It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” Mr. Stankiewicz said about the contract agreement.

Mr. Hare noted that “we can now devote our energy to finding and promoting a complete package that both addresses the overcrowding and can be supported by our residents.”

Mr. Cochrane summed up the positive spirit of teachers, administration, and board, as they averted the disputes and public demonstrations that characterized the negotiations process of 2014-15. “This contract extension is a celebration,” he said. “It is a celebration of trust, partnership, and a shared vision of what is right for our students and our community. I could not be more grateful to our teachers and their leadership.”