Teachers urge Middlesex district to prioritize classroom staffing and settle expired contract

Public commenters at a Middlesex Borough School District meeting urged the board to prioritize teacher retention, invest in school buildings and resolve an expired collective-bargaining contract that continues to govern working conditions under state law.

The comments came during the public-comment portion of the board meeting; speakers said persistent teacher shortages and recent hiring decisions were harming the district’s ability to recruit and retain staff. "If we have the money for it and it betters our district, so be it," said a public commenter identified in the record as a teacher, who described 16 years in the classroom and urged the district to "invest in your teachers." The commenter added that hiring multiple people at the top of the salary guide reduces the usual budget "breakage" that provides funds when senior teachers retire.

Why it matters: Speakers framed staffing and the contract as central to classroom quality. Multiple commenters said teachers and front-line staff spend more time with students than parents do and requested concrete compensation and retention steps — including longevity incentives and contract settlement — to make Middlesex a more desirable district for educators.

In the meeting a speaker identified as Cindy Mondero, 12 Woodrow Street, said teachers have adapted to new curriculum and administrative demands and asked the board to "please sign on the contract." Another commenter recommended offering incentives for 5-, 10- and 15-year retention to address the teacher shortage.

Speakers raised two staffing concerns. One commenter criticized the addition of nonunion administrative positions and suggested some new roles "report directly to the cops," arguing the district should not fill such posts if funding is insufficient. The same commenter argued that hiring at the top of the guide has been presented in past negotiations as a fiscal risk but that the district now seems to be approving several top-of-guide hires.

Several speakers described the district’s history as retaining quality teachers because staff felt supported. Those urging change recommended restoring that culture through targeted pay, longevity bonuses and prioritizing classroom staff over additional administrative hires.

On the contract status, a public commenter explained that while the collective-bargaining contract is expired, its terms remain in effect under state labor law governing public-sector employees, meaning the district operates under continuing terms pending a new agreement. The commenter said the document itself is expired, and the continued applicability of terms is a statutory effect rather than a fully executed contract.

The board did not take formal action on contract ratification during the portion of the meeting covered by the transcript. The public-comment period closed before the meeting adjourned.

Speakers quoted in this article appear in the meeting record as: Public commenter (teacher); Cindy Mondero, teacher and resident (12 Woodrow Street); Jeremiah, parent and resident (1 20 Shepherd House).