Teachers, parents and students press Middlesex board over expired contract, staffing and program gaps

Summary

Dozens of teachers, parents and students told the Middlesex board the district is operating under an expired contract, citing shortages of substitutes, missing music and technology instruction, and rising staff turnover; speakers urged the board to prioritize contract negotiations and teacher retention.

At a lengthy public‑comment period Wednesday, teachers, parents, students and other residents pressed the Middlesex Borough School District Board of Education to resolve an expired teachers' contract and address staffing shortages they said are affecting classrooms across the district.

Teachers and parents said the district has been operating without a settled contract for some time and described an erosion of services at multiple elementary schools, including Hazelwood, Woodland and Parker. "We don't want apologies — we want a contract," said a teacher who identified herself during public comment; multiple classroom teachers and the Middlesex Education Association representative urged the board to return to the bargaining table.

Several parents told the board their children lack access to regular music and technology instruction, have had rotating substitutes, or in some cases went without a guidance counselor for…

Teachers, parents and students press Middlesex board over expired contract, staffing and program gaps

Summary

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