A recent strong turnout of Lindenhurst faculty members at school board meeting had more to do with a large number of teachers receiving tenure than impending negotiations between the district and teacher's union over the expiring teacher's contact, according to the union president.

Rose Russo, president of the Lindenhurst Teacher's Association, noted that 51 teachers at the June 7 Lindenhurst School District Board of Trustees were being tenured that evening, an important milestone in the career of teachers.

"Basically we wanted to show support for the teachers receiving tenure," she said.

The teachers unit consists of 181 members. The annual entry level salary for teachers in the district is $41,401. Top level teachers salary is $111,591. Teachers contribute ten percent toward their health insurance coverage.

Lindenhurst teachers at the elementary level work 7 hours a day and at the secondary level are responsible for five classes and a duty period.

The timing of the show of support by faculty for their newly tenured came less than a month before the union's contact with the school district was due to expire on June 30.

Neil Lederer, Lindenhurst Schools superintendent, said he understood the "show of solidarity" by the teachers, given the fact the the current contract was expiring at the end of the 2005-06 school year.

Russo and Lederer each confirmed that the district and union have exchanged contract proposals, but both declined to comment on the current state of negotiations other than to say the two parties have had preliminary talks.

Other sources in the district said, however, the dispute involved a demand on the part of the district to have teachers work an additional day during the school year and pick up a larger percentage of the cost of health care coverage.

Each characterized the relationship between the district and union as "good."

Lederer, however, expressed some regret that the strong turnout of faculty at the standing room only June 7 meet at the McKenna Administration Building left few remaining seats for student/athletes being honored by the board and their families.

"If I had been made aware [of the strong teacher turnout] accommodations could have been made," the superintendent said. "We could have moved the meeting to the high school, which is large enough to hold a turnout the size we had [on June 7). WEST BABYLON HEADS TO FACT-FINDING

In West Babylon, teachers have been working without a new contract since June, 2005. The members have worn tee shirts and buttons during the school year and are currently at an impasse and headed to fact-finding.

"I for one certainly hope that we can arrive at a negotiated settlement as soon as possible," said Superintendent of Schools Mel Noble. "Reaching an amicable solution as soon as humanly possible is in everyone's interest."

The district is represented at the table by Christopher Venator of the law firm of Ingerman and Smith who said that both sides have agreed upon a Fact Finder, Prof. Robert Simelkjaar, and that the process should begin next month. The Fact-Finding process is the second phase in impasse and allows both sides to present factual information. The Fact Finder reviews that information and makes recommendations to bring about a settlement. While the recommendations are non-binding, they are subject to public review.

Numerous phone calls to the West Babylon teachers union office and to their NYSUT Labor Relations attorney, were not returned. Other sources within the union have said, however, that morale among the rank and file is low and that several high-ranking people

are leaving the districty as a result including the head of guidance, language arts and special education. "Something has to be done to stop this kind of exodus from the district," said the source.

West Babylon teachers earn $40,907, entry level, with the top salary (25 years of experience and a doctorate degree) of $104,783. They also contribute 10 percent to the cost of health insurance.

Teachers in West Babylon work 182 days a year including three conference days. Elementary teachers work 6 hours and 45 minutes a day, while secondary level teachers have five classes, one duty, and one preparatory period per day.