Negotiations Updates

REA Negotiations Update: April 23, 2026

Dear Roseland Community:

This provides an update following today’s negotiations session between the Roseland School District and the Roseland Educators Association (REA).

The District and REA met today to continue discussions on the remaining open contract items in successor negotiations. The topics addressed during this session included:

Article XXIV – Employee Benefits

Article XXV – Salaries

Article XXXII – Completion of Meet and Negotiation

Memorandum of Understanding regarding Unit Member Hours and Adjunct Duties for TK–6 and RAMS 7–8.

During the meeting, the District and REA exchanged counterproposals regarding salary and healthcare benefits for REA members. The District’s proposals were developed with two important priorities in mind: supporting our valued employees while also ensuring long-term fiscal responsibility and stability for the District.

As part of that commitment to shared fiscal stewardship, the District’s negotiations team also informed REA that District Office Cabinet members and Board Members have agreed to place a cap on their own personal health benefits beginning in the 2026–2027 school year. This step reflects the District’s belief that financial sustainability requires collective commitment and leadership by example.

The parties also reached an agreement on the Association Release Time Memorandum of Understanding (Article VII), reflecting continued progress through collaborative dialogue.

While important issues remain under discussion, the District is optimistic that the parties can continue working together toward fair and sustainable agreements that serve employees, students, and the broader Roseland community.

The parties are scheduled to meet again on May 22, and the District hopes to reach a resolution on the remaining articles and MOU.

We appreciate our employees' continued dedication and thank the Roseland community for its ongoing support of our schools.

Sincerely,

Jason Lea Ed.D.
Superintendent
Roseland School District

Dear Roseland Community,

We would like to provide an update following our most recent negotiations session with the Roseland Educators Association (REA).

During today’s meeting, the parties continued their work collaboratively and productively. The District and REA exchanged counterproposals on several topics and worked together to advance discussions toward areas of agreement.

Agreement Reached

The parties reached an agreement on the language in Article II – Recognition regarding the provision of certain services to District students. The District appreciates the collaborative effort that enabled the parties to reach an agreement on this provision.

Proposals and Counterproposals

During the session, REA presented the following proposals:

• Article XXV – Salaries
• A counterproposal to Article XXIV – Employee Benefits
• A counterproposal to the Memorandum of Understanding regarding Unit Member Hours and Adjunct Duties for TK–6 and RAMS 7–8

The District is reviewing these proposals as both parties work toward their shared goals.

Looking Ahead

As discussions move forward, the District remains focused on reaching agreements that support our employees and students while maintaining fiscal responsibility and long-term financial sustainability.  The District remains committed to respectful dialogue and collaborative problem-solving as negotiations continue.

The parties are scheduled to meet again on April 23 to continue negotiations.

We appreciate the continued professionalism of everyone involved in this process and thank our staff for their ongoing dedication to the students and families of Roseland.

Sincerely,
Jason Lea, Ed.D.
Superintendent Roseland School District

Dear Roseland Community,

We would like to provide an update following the third day of negotiations with the Roseland Educators Association (REA). Today, the District and REA met in a collaborative and productive session. The parties worked together to review, clarify, and discuss key financial data to inform ongoing negotiations. We appreciate the professional and constructive dialogue that continues to support meaningful progress.

Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

During today’s session, the District presented counterproposals to three MOUs addressing the following topics:

• Unit Member Hours & Adjunct Duties
• REA President Release Time
• REA Association Release Time

The parties reached a tentative agreement (TA) on the REA President Release Time MOU. The remaining MOUs remain under discussion.

Looking Ahead

This was the third negotiation session between the parties. The District and REA will meet again on March 4 to continue working toward agreements that support our employees, students, and long-term fiscal stability. The District remains committed to respectful, transparent, and collaborative negotiations. We will continue to keep staff informed as progress continues.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the students and families of Roseland.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jason Lea
Superintendent
Roseland School District

To: The Roseland Community
Subject: Negotiations Update – Roseland School District and REA

Dear Roseland Community,

We would like to provide an update regarding ongoing negotiations between the Roseland School District and the Roseland Educators Association (REA). The parties recently completed their second day of negotiations.

The District is working to reach an agreement that both supports our educators and protects the long-term financial health of our schools.

Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)

As part of the negotiations process, REA proposed four Memorandums of Understanding addressing:

• Association Release Time
• Signing Bonus
• Wednesday Prep Time
• President Release Time
• Mainstreaming TK–6 Students

The District and REA have reached agreement on and signed two of these MOUs:

• Signing Bonus
• Mainstreaming TK–6 Students

Discussions continue on the remaining items.

Healthcare Costs and District Proposal

Currently, the District does not have a cap on its contribution toward employee healthcare costs. This means that when health insurance premiums increase, the District fully absorbs those additional costs rather than passing them on to employees.

Over the past five years, healthcare premiums have increased by more than 33%, and the District has covered those increases entirely.

To create long-term budget stability, the District has proposed establishing a defined cap on its healthcare contribution. As shown in the attached proposal spreadsheet:

Employees would continue to have four healthcare plan options available at no cost.
The proposal maintains strong benefit coverage while protecting the District from unlimited future cost exposure.

Compensation Context

In addition to fully covering healthcare cost increases, salary increases for REA members over the past five years have exceeded both inflation and statewide cost-of-living adjustments. This has come to over 23% in salary increases, while total inflation has come to 19.58%, and cost-of-living adjustments have come to 19.85% as reflected in the table below.

The District has worked to invest in its employees while also maintaining responsible fiscal management.

Our Commitment

Roseland School District is committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and supporting the educators who serve our students every day. We remain hopeful that continued negotiations will result in a fair and sustainable agreement for both staff and the community.

We appreciate the community’s continued support of our students, staff, and schools.

Sincerely,
Dr. Jason Lea
Superintendent

Roseland School District & Roseland Education Association 
January 13, 2026

Roseland School District (RSD) and the Roseland Education Association (REA) met on January 13, 2026, for the first day of negotiations for the 2026–27 contract year.

Both parties signed bargaining ground rules and committed to a respectful, transparent, and collaborative negotiation process.

During the session, the District reviewed key budget and enrollment information:

• Enrollment trends: While Roseland’s enrollment remains relatively stable, growth has slowed, and recent policy changes in neighboring districts may affect future revenue.
• Charter and facilities costs: The District shared information about charter-related finances and facilities obligations, including uncertainty around the timing of a potential property sale and a scheduled increase in lease costs beginning in 2027.
• Rising special education costs: Special education expenses continue to increase statewide, with districts covering the majority of costs while state and federal funding covers only a portion.
• Benefit costs: Health and benefit costs have increased significantly over the past several years without the additional cost being passed along to employees, with further cost increases to the District projected in the coming years.
• State funding uncertainty: State cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) have been revised downward from earlier estimates, contributing to ongoing budget uncertainty.

REA asked clarifying questions, and the District committed to sharing additional information to support transparency.

As part of the bargaining process, REA passed Article II (Recognition), and the District provided a counterproposal. Both parties will continue negotiations in future sessions.

Roseland School District remains committed to working collaboratively and responsibly to support students, staff, and the broader Roseland community.