Newark schools chief, teachers union clash over seniority

By Jessica Calefati/The Star-Ledger

NEWARK — Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson’s formula for boosting student achievement in struggling schools is built on a simple concept — allowing principals to select their teaching staff regardless of seniority.

The union representing Newark teachers, however, believes the practice invites favoritism and puts older, more experienced teachers at a disadvantage. It plans to file a labor-relations complaint with the state if schools are not staffed based on seniority this fall.

“Teachers with the most years of experience must be offered jobs in their area of certification,” said Newark Teachers Union President Joseph Del Grosso. “This is not negotiable.”

Last year, roughly 80 tenured teachers without classrooms were offered jobs as assistants and specialists with no dock in pay. Retaining them cost the district $8 million.
If the union follows through on its complaint and prevails, Anderson could be forced to shuffle staffing in the 40,000-student district mid-school-year, a state Public Employment Relations Commission attorney said.

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