Gov. Chris Christie pits teachers against one another with wage freeze offer
When the Hackettstown School District presented its $28.5 million 2010-11 budget April 1, the document lacked 18 full-time positions -- seven of them classroom teachers -- who are working this year.
The district is hardly alone in making staff cuts to cope with aid cuts and rising costs. However, Superintendent Robert Gratz told the audience that at least the teaching positions could be restored, if the teachers agreed to a wage freeze advocated by Gov. Chris Christie.
The district teachers union was unable to provide an answer that night, and representatives could not be reached for an update on their discussions this week.
"They missed a great opportunity," Gratz said, acknowledging a concession also could help convince voters to approve the budget April 20.
The prospect of a wage freeze has New Jersey educators in a difficult position. Unions that consent could save teachers' jobs. The alternative is to resist the pressure from the governor and lose