Sparta teachers still working without contract: BOE votes on contract resolution

By Meghan BYers
SPARTA — Disagreement and discussion arose at a somewhat contentious Sparta Board of Education meeting on Monday night, which covered ongoing contract negotiations with the Sparta Education Association, along with concerns over a resolution calling for approximately $3,000 to help “rebrand” the Sparta school district.
About 50 teachers filled the auditorium in a show of support for a resolution about prolongegd contract negotiations. According to Susan Sawey, president of the Sparta Education Association, the approximately 400 members of the SEA have been working under an expired contract for more than six months.
“We love our students, and we love our jobs,” said Sawey in a speech “urging the board to come to a swift resolution” on contract negotiations. “All we ask is a swift conclusion to the process.”
Angela DeLuccia, a media specialist at Sparta High School, delivered her own impassioned plea, saying “we should not have to fight” for fair salary and compensation.
Leonor DiStefano, a parent with students in the Sparta school district, came to the microphone at the last moment of the first public participation opportunity. She hadn’t planned to speak but said she was “moved” by DeLuccia and Sawey’s words.
“To work without a contract is somewhat demeaning,” said DiStefano. “My children have all excelled because of their teachers.”
Vice President Kylen Andersen told the audience “No one in this room should think the members of this board don’t value our staff."
She read a formal statement expressing the Board’s “sincere commitment and desire to reach a resolution as quickly as possible.”
According to Andersen, the BOE and SEA have reached “tentative agreements on some proposals” and have a neutral third party assisting in the negotiations.
“The Board of Education is confident that we can work with the Sparta Education Association to achieve its goals,” Andersen said.
Later, there was disagreement between board members when it came time to vote on resolution FIN 84-19, titled “Communications and Public Relations Consulting Services.”
The resolution approves “the professional services proposals from the Camden County Educational Services Commission, Clementon, NJ for electronic newsletter/press release in an amount not to exceed $75.00 and to create one standard Sparta logo that is specific and exclusive to the Sparta School District in an amount not to exceed $2,989.88.”
Newly elected board member Kate Matteson questioned the need for a new logo, and asked about specific funding for public relations, which she said she could not find in the proposed budget.
“I would like to know what our PR budget is,” she said. She also expressed concern about the amount to be spent on creating a logo, noting that “the thousands add up.”
Superintendent Michael Rossi Jr. said that the school district would benefit from “one consistent brand” and pointed to inconsistencies in logos across Sparta school letterheads, uniforms, and spirit wear.
“I think I’ve been consistent in my messaging on this,” he said, of the decision to prioritize branding. “This is my professional recommendation.”
Board member Kim Bragg asked why the district could not pick one of the logos currently used and make that the standard. Rossi replied that the district “may come to that conclusion.” Rossi added that he would like the students and potentially alumni to have some say in the final logo choice.
Fellow board member Joanne Hoover was supportive of the idea, saying it's consistent spirit wear and overall branding would serve to better unite and promote the Sparta school district.
Board President Kelly McEvoy said branding is “an opportunity to control the narrative.”
New member Jennifer Grana also questioned the reasoning for a new logo and asked for specifics regarding the design. Rossi did not have specific details to offer yet but stated that the school colors would remain the same.
Grana, Matteson, and Bragg all voted against the resolution, while the remaining majority of the board voted to approve it. Shortly after the vote, the board went into a closed executive session.