Baruffi Hired, Teacher Contract Ratified

 MICHELLE BRUNETTI POST Staff Writer

MULLICA TOWNSHIP — Tom Baruffi, who retired in June after serving as superintendent of both the Linwood School District and Mainland Regional High School, was hired at Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting as interim superintendent in Mullica.

Baruffi will start Sept. 1 and be paid $596.15 per day.

The board also ratified a three-year contract with the Mullica Township Education Association that gives teachers raises of 3.25 percent the first year, retroactive to July 1, 2013, for the year ended June 30, 2014; 2.45 percent the second year, for the year that ends June 30, 2015; and 2.5 percent in the third year, which ends June 30, 2016.

MTEA President Barbara Rheault said the new contract increases the number of professional development days teachers must attend from five to six; and, in exchange, for the first time gives teachers two family sick days for taking care of ill family members.

Teachers also get 10 sick days for their own illnesses, which roll over if unused; and three personal days, she said.

The raises will help offset increased contributions to their health insurance costs, which are mandated by state law, Rheault said.

The teachers worked all of last school year without a contract, during a time of heightened tensions as they and other members of the community were opposing the attempt by Superintendent Brenda Harring-Marro and the school board to fire tenured kindergarten teacher Kelly Mascio.

Rheault said the union and district will hold a Community Day Sept. 6 at the school to celebrate the new contract and begin to heal the community’s wounds related to the Mascio case.
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