Lawrence teachers, school board reach tentative contract settlement

The two sides met with a state-appointed fact finder on Sept. 9 and agreed to the recommendations made

LAWRENCE -- The Lawrence teachers' union has reached a tentative contract settlement with the district's school board, ending a monthslong stalemate.

Lawrence High School file photoMartin Griff | Times of Trenton 

Representatives from the two sides met with a state-appointed fact finder on Sept. 9 and agreed to the recommendations made.

The teachers have been working under a contract that expired last June. The lack of a new contract prompted the 563-member union to regularly picket outside the township's seven schools.

RELATED: Lawrence teachers to picket over lack of contract

Specifics of the new three-year agreement will not be made available until both the union and school board approve it.

"The negotiations committee is thrilled to arrive at consensus with the LTEA on a contract that values the wonderful work of our staff, as well as the needs of our children, taxpayers and the Lawrence Township community," said Laura Waters, who chaired the board's negotiations committee.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.