The Sayreville Education Association’s new president addressed the Board of Education as the district continues negotiations over a new labor agreement.

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SAYREVILLE, NJ — More than 800 Sayreville school district employees are working under an expired labor contract as negotiations continue between the district and the Sayreville Education Association (SEA).

The issue was raised during the Sayreville Board of Education’s Sept. 22 meeting, when newly elected SEA President Kevin Bloom introduced himself to board members and expressed his desire to reach a new agreement.

“I represent over 800 district employees who are currently working on an expired contract,” Bloom told the board. “I look forward to working with the board on settling that contract as well as continuing to advance the educational outcomes of the children in our district.”

The SEA represents teachers, paraprofessionals, bus drivers and other support staff throughout the district.

Negotiations Remain Ongoing

The board discussed negotiations involving the SEA during a closed executive session before the public portion of the meeting.

According to a summary provided by the board secretary, the executive session included discussions related to the superintendent search and SEA contract negotiations.

Details of the negotiations, including the proposed terms of a new agreement and any outstanding disagreements between the district and union, were not disclosed in the information presented.

Employee Pay Adjustments Await Contract Resolution

The ongoing negotiations were also reflected in several personnel items on the board’s Sept. 22 agenda.

Multiple approved actions included a notation stating “Pending SEA Contract Negotiations,” indicating that the listed compensation rates remain subject to the outcome of negotiations.

Those items included salary adjustments for certificated staff who earned additional academic credentials, hourly pay changes for part-time paraprofessionals, revised rates for school bus drivers and aides, and stipends for employees performing additional duties.

The agenda language makes clear that the compensation rates associated with those positions are not yet finalized under a new SEA agreement.

Union Support Recognized During Meeting

The SEA also received recognition during a separate presentation honoring Master Sergeant Jillian Tsang, an instructor with Sayreville War Memorial High School’s Air Force JROTC program.

Tsang received the Department of Defense Patriot Award and thanked union leadership for its support.

“Also, a big thank you to my SEA family, Mr. Kevin Bloom and the team,” Tsang said, acknowledging the union’s efforts to support her and the JROTC program.

Bloom’s appearance marked an introduction to the board in his new role as SEA president, with negotiations over the expired agreement continuing.

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