Here’s a new twist. As New Jersey’s ire grows towards teacher and staff recession-proof salaries increases and contribution-free benefits, residents are speaking up. The Trenton Times reports that at a public budget hearing in East Windsor, taxpayers instructed the Board to increase teacher contributions to health insurance as part of the current contract negotiations.

Superintendent Ron Bolandi told the public that the 75% of the district’s $83 million 2009-10 school budget is staff salaries and benefits. Not so bad – many districts count staff costs as 80% and up, so East Windsor is in better shape than many others.