Schools

NSB: NFT 'Disrespected' Judge Robert Baldi

Neshaminy School Board President Ritchie Webb was "shocked" by the NFT's latest press release.

Lawyers for the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers and the Neshaminy School Board met with Bucks County Judge Robert Baldi Thursday afternoon in his chambers.

School Board President Ritchie Webb said that Baldi requested this meeting with the attorneys without board members or union representatives and that it is his understanding that anything discussed in judges' chambers is confidential and privileged information that should "not to appear in a press release several hours after the meeting."

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Upon reading the , Webb said he was "shocked."

"NFT leadership has shown no respect for our community, our students, or its own membership, and now they have disrespected a Bucks County court," he stated, adding that the union's attorney Tom Jennings "showed a total lack of discretion and respect for the court by publishing a private conversation."

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He also said that by releasing the details of the meeting, the NFT "shot itself in the foot" and that the school board feels as though "any assistance Judge Baldi could have given to these negotiations has been severely compromised."

This, Webb said, is an example of "what is wrong with Neshaminy."

"We have a rogue union who, in our estimation, is led by a rogue attorney, and an NFT president who shows no respect and will do and say anything, including using Judge Baldi to get what they want," he stated.

The union filed a motion with the court at the beginning of August for the second time seeking Baldi's help in ending the contract impasse. However, Webb said that the answers to the district's problem won't be solved in court, but in Harrisburg -- a sentiment that Webb has said numerous times in board meetings and press releases.

"We are getting very close to an unsolvable impasse and I believe that a public referendum that would allow the taxpayers of Neshaminy to void the current contract is the only solution," he said.


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