Important Message from the Board of Education

May 1, 2018

On Monday, October 30, 2017, the Mendham Borough Board of Education (“Board”) received the Fact-Finding Report from the independent, State-appointed Fact-Finder regarding the on-going Teacher negotiations.  In November 2017, the Board voted to accept the Fact-Finder’s recommendations in its entirety.  To date, the Mendham Borough Education Association (“Teachers’ Association”) has not voted to accept the Fact-Finder’s report or presented any possible settlement alternative.

The Board and the Teachers’ Association met with the State-appointed Super-Conciliator on January 30, 2018 and again on April 26, 2018.  Once again, the Teachers’ Association did not present any offer to resolve the on-going negotiations at either of these two meetings.  As a result, the Super-Conciliator has ordered both sides to submit written briefs by May 14, 2018 and he will issue a written settlement recommendation to both the Teachers’ Association and the Board on June 7, 2018 at 4:30 p.m.

Instead of resolving the outstanding contract, the leadership of the Teachers’ Association has instructed its members to engage in a job action.  Specifically, the Teachers’ Association’s leadership has instructed its members to no longer provide extra help to students either before or after school.  The Board is gravely disappointed in this job action which directly and adversely impacts our students and, therefore, calls upon the Teachers’ Association to immediately cease and desist with this job action. The Board has filed an Unfair Practice Charge concerning this job action, which is presently pending before the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission.  We will keep the public apprised of any further developments regarding this unfortunate matter.

Respectfully,

Mendham Borough Board of Education

The mission of the Mendham Borough Public School District is to prepare all of our students for their future roles in society.  We strive to provide an educational program that enables all students to acquire knowledge and to assume constructive self-direction to their fullest potential.  The district is committed to education of the highest quality, aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, and continuous improvement of programs and teaching strategies.

2017-18 District Goals

from the Strategic Plan Goals with Identified Focus Areas

Goal 1:  Enhance and maintain technology in our schools where staff and students continuously expand their skills as they develop into effective digital citizens.

2017-18 Focus Areas for this Goal:

• Expansion of 1:1 Initiative
• Expansion of the use of Google Classroom, Google Applications, and Genesis Online Lesson Plans
• Identify additional training needs and expand Google Certification opportunities
• Continue assessment and development of Digital citizenship

Goal 2:  To create and sustain a safe, secure learning environment that is equipped to deliver a 21stcentury instructional program.

2017-18 Focus Areas for this Goal:

• Conduct a safety and security assessment of district schools
• Review and recommendations of current security drills
• Mountain View Media Center as a Flexible Learning Environment that promotes improved student outcomes

Goal 3:  Continue to foster the social and emotional development of all students while providing a first class educational program that meets the needs of our diverse learners.

2017-18 Focus Areas for this Goal:

• Review district and state assessments to identify target areas for improvement.
• Monitor, evaluate and make recommendations for newly established Intervention Specialist Role and for the ENCORE program at Mountain View.
• Identify resources that would offer support to staff, parents and students for recent trends/issues being identified as key to the social and emotional development of students and as part of the district mission to support the “whole child.”
• Promote digital citizenship as it pertains to social media and internet access.

Goal 4:  To promote articulation with surrounding K-8 districts and the regional high school district.

2017-18 Focus Areas for this Goal:

• Participation in regular meetings with area Superintendents
• Consult with administrative team to seek opportunities for collaboration within their school and departments:  Special Services, Elementary and Middle Schools, and Curriculum and Instruction.

Goal 5:  To create and develop partnerships between school, home and community.

2017-18 Focus Areas for this Goal:

• Continue to identify ways for promoting district initiatives, and increasing communication within the school community and the greater Mendham Borough community.