This is the first draft of the South Plainfield Education Association Constitution. There are still some corrections to be made and an amended version will be posted shortly.
South Plainfield Education Association
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: NAME
Section 1 The name of this Association is to be the South Plainfield [Education]Employees Association.
Section 2 The Association shall be unified with the Middlesex County Education Association, the New Jersey Education Association, and the National Education Association. All members of this Association shall be unified with the above named Associations.
Section 3 The Association shall he incorporated under Title 15A, Section 2-8 of the Revised Statutes of the State of New Jersey
ARTICLE II: PURPOSES
Section I. To work for the welfare of school children, the advancement of education and the improvement of instructional opportunities.
Section 2. To develop and promote adoption of such ethical practices, personnel policies and standards of preparation and participation as mark a profession.
Section 3. To develop and promote a continuing program to improve salaries, fringe benefits, working conditions and instruction through formal negotiations with the South Plainfield Board of Education and in compliance with [Chapter 303, New Jersey Public Laws of 1968]the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act
Section 4. To enable members to speak with a common voice on matters pertaining to educational issued and to present their individual and common interests before the Board of Education and other legal authorities.
Section 5. To hold property and funds and to employ a staff as necessary for the attainment of these purposes.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Active Members
a. Active membership in the Association shall be open to all personnel employed in the schools of South Plainfield except [those excluded from the Association pursuant to Chapter 303, New Jersey Public Laws of 1968, NEA and NJEA] supervisors and confidential employees excluded from any Association collective bargaining agreement pursuant to the New Jersey Employer/Employee Relations Act or the National Labor Relations Act.
b. Certificated members must agree to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession.
c. Active membership shall be continuous until the member leaves the school system, resigns from the Association, or fails to pay membership dues.
Section 2 Revocation of Membership
[According to procedures adopted by the NJEA-DA, the Executive Board may call for the censure, suspension, or expulsion of any member for violation of the code of ethics or the standards as adopted by the NJEA (5/19/84)]. No member shall be fined suspended expelled or otherwise disciplined except for nonpayment of dues without being served with specific written charges and given a reasonable time in which to prepare a defense which may be asserted at a full and fair hearing
ARTICLE IV: OFFICERS
The officers of the Association shall consist of a president, [a first and second vice-president] a vice president/certificated personnel a vice president/secretaries a vice president/custodians and maintenance a vice president/van drivers a vice president/para-professionals a vice president/cafeteria workers a recording secretary, a –corresponding secretary, and a treasurer.
ARTICLE V: EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1 The Executive Board shall consist of the officers. [the immediate past president and the head association representative of each school or unit.] It shall be the executive authority of the Association.
Section 2 Whenever a majority of the Executive Board shall agree that an officer has been negligent of his duties as defined in the bylaws, or is incapacitated, they shall recommend to the Representative Council that the officer be declared vacant, the Representative Council shall declare the position vacant by a 2’3 majority.
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
Section 1. The legislative and policy making body of the Association shall be the Representative Council.
Section 2. The Representative Council shall consist of all of the Association building or unit representatives, the chairpersons of the standing committees, all county, state or national delegates, and the officers of the Association. The [officers,] chairpersons of the standing committees shall be members without vote.
Section 3. Any member of the Association or members of the [Affiliated Groups] county, state or national affiliates may attend meetings of the Representative Council. They may receive permission to speak but shall not vote.
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ARTICLE VII: AFFILIATION
The Association shall affiliate with the National education Association under its rules, the New Jersey Education Association under its rules and the Middlesex County Education Association under its rules.
ARTICLE VIII: DUES
Dues of the Association shall he set equal to one-fourth of one percent (15% of the average salary for each unit represented by a vice president Part time dues shall he pro-rated consistent with the formula established by the NJEA
ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS
The Representative Council may adopt amendments to this constitution by a two-thirds majority of those voting at any regular meeting provided that copies of the proposed amendments have been introduced and distributed at the preceding regular meeting of the Representative Council.
BYLAWS OF THE SOUTH PLAINFIELD EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I: MEETINGS
Section 1 The Executive Board shall meet on the third Tuesday, of each month when school is in session at [3:30 P.M.] at a time not in conflict with work schedules and at a place previously determined by the President, with provision for alternate days in the event of a school closing. Special meetings may be held at the call of the President or at the request of three members of the Board.
Section 2 The Representative Council shall meet on the fourth Wednesday of each month when school is in session at [3:30 P.M.] at a time not in conflict with work schedules and at a place previously determined by the Executive Board, with provision for alternate days in the event of a school closing. The Executive Board shall prepare an agenda for each meeting and shall circulate it to all members of the Council so that Representatives have time to discuss it with their constituents in advance of the Council meeting. Officers of the Association can assist faculty representatives in such discussion if desirable.
Section 3 Special meetings of the Representative Council may be held at the request of the President or upon request in writing to the executive Board from five [faculty] (5 building or unit representatives. The business to come before the special meetings must be stated in the call, which shall be sent in writing to each representative. The business of the meeting shall be confined to those items.
Section 4 General membership meetings of the total membership may be arranged by the Executive Board when necessary and desirable for discussion of Association issues.
ARTICLE II: QUORUM
a. A majority of their members shall be a quorum for the Executive Board and committees.
b. [Fifteen (15) elected members,] The members present or [their] elected alternates duly designated in writing, shall be a quorum for the Representative Council.
c. [A majority of members] The members present shall be a quorum for General Membership meetings.
d. For contract ratification, absentee ballots shall be valid if sealed and delivered in person by the voter to his/her [Head Association] building or unit representative before the vote is taken at the ratification meeting.
ARTICLE III: POWER OF THE OFFICERS
Section I: President
a. The President shall preside over meetings of the Executive Board and the Representative Council.
b. The President shall appoint the chair people and members of the standing committees and special committees subject to the advice and consent of the Executive Board.
c. The President shall be the executive officer of the Association and perform all functions usually attributed to this office.
d. The President shall represent the Association before the public either in person or through delegates.
e. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 2: First Vice-President
a. The First Vice-President shall serve as President in the absence of the President at all meetings of the Executive Board or Representative Council.
b. The First Vice-President shall act as coordinator of the standing and special committees and will assist them in identifying recommendations that are ready for action by the Representative Council.
c. He/she will work closely with committees as the President may request.
d. The First Vice-President will perform all other functions as assigned by the President.
Section 3: Second Vice-President/Certificated Personnel
a. If elected by the Executive Board, the [Second] Vice-President Certificated Personnel shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence.
b. The [Second] Vice-President/Certificated Personnel shall over-see the internal organization of the [Faculty] building Representatives within each building or unit.
c. He/she may also serve in other capacities if delegated by the President.
Section 3: Vice-President/Secretaries
a. If elected by the Executive Board the Vice-President/Secretaries shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence.
b. The Vice-President/Secretaries shall over-see the internal organization of the unit Representatives within the secretaries unit
c. He/she may also serve in other capacities if delegated by the President.
Section 4: Vice-President/Custodians and Maintenance
a. If elected by the Executive Board the Vice-President/Custodians and Maintenance shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence
b. The Vice-President/Custodians and Maintenance shall over-see the internal organization of the unit Representatives within the custodians and maintenance unit
c. He/she may also serve in other capacities if delegated by the President.
Section 5: Vice-President/Van Drivers
a. If elected by the Executive Board the Vice-President/Van Drivers shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence
b. The Vice-President/Van Drivers shall over-see the internal organization of the
unit Representatives within the van drivers unit
c. He/she may also serve in other capacities if delegated by the President
Section 6 Vice-President/Para-professionals
a.If elected by the Executive Board the Vice-President/Para-professionals shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence
b. The Vice-President/Para-professionals shall over-see the internal organization of the unit Representatives within the para-professionals unit
c. He/she may also serve in other capacities if delegated by the President
Section 7: Vice-President/Cafeteria Workers
a.If elected by the Executive Board the Vice-President/Cafeteria Workers shall assume all duties of the President in his/her absence
b. The Vice-President/Cafeteria Workers shall over-see the internal organization of the unit Representatives within the cafeteria workers unit.
c. He/she may also serve in other capacities if delegated by the President
Section 8: Recording Secretary
The Recording Secretary shall keep accurate minutes and records of attendance of all meetings of the executive Board and the Representative Council and shall maintain files of the same. The minutes of the Representative Council meetings will be prepared and distributed to the membership of the Association.
Section 9: Corresponding Secretary
The Corresponding secretary shall assist the President with Association correspondence, prepare the agenda for all Representative Council meetings, and notify all representatives of meeting dates. When necessary the Corresponding Secretary will assist the Recording Secretary in the preparation of ballots and other prepared material as requested by the President. In the absence of the Recording Secretary from a meeting, the Corresponding Secretary shall take the minutes of the meeting.
Section 10: Treasurer
a.The Treasurer shall hold the funds of the Association and disburse them upon authorization by the Executive Board with the second signature of the President
b. The Treasurer shall keep accurate records of receipts and disbursements shall report to each meeting of the Representative Council and shall prepare an annual financial statement for publication as directed by the Executive Board.
c. The Treasurer shall keep the President and the Executive Board informed of he financial condition of the Association.
d. The Treasurer shall be bonded by the Association.
e. The Treasurer shall assist the Executive Board in the preparation of the annual budget for presentation to the Representative Council.
Section 11: Immediate Past-President
The Immediate Past-President shall advise the Executive Board and assist the President at the latter’s request.
Section 12: Terms
The officers of the Association shall serve for two (2) years and may be re-electedwithout limit.
Section 13: Succession
Whenever the office of President shall become vacant between elections, the [First] Vice-President elected by Executive Board shall replace the President until the next election:[the Second Vice-President shall replace the First Vice-President]. The vacancies of all [other] offices shall be filled by the Representative Council until the next regular election.
Section 13: Stipends
In order that the work of the Association can be carried on without personal expense to the officers, the Negotiations Committee Chairperson, or the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee Chairperson, the Association will provide monies up to the amounts specified below to cover such expenses and/or stipends
Year 1 Year 2+ President: $3000 $3600
Vice-President/Certificated Personnel: $1000 $1200
Vice-President/Secretaries: $1000 $1200
Vice-President/Custodians and Maintenance: $1000 $1200
Vice-President/Van Drivers: $1000 $1200
Vice-President/Para-professionals: $1000 $1200
Vice-President/Cafeteria Workers : $1000 $1200
Recording Secretary: $625 $750
Corresponding Secretary: $625 $750
Treasurer: $1250 $1500
Negotiations Committee Chairperson: $750
P R & R Committee Chairperson: $750
Membership Committee Chairperson: $750
Board of Education Liaison: $ 25 mtg.
Newsletter: $400
Expenses incurred by any Association member shall be reimbursed upon approval by the Executive Board, as in Article IV, Section 1C.
ARTICLE IV: BUDGET AND EXPENSES
Section 1. The Budget shall be prepared annually by a committee in consultation with the Treasurer.
Section 2. The Preliminary Budget shall first be presented to the April Representative Council for adoption in May.
Section 3. Amendments of the Budget shall be made by the Representative Council only.
Section 4. Administrative/Operating expenses for the Association shall be paid upon approval of the Treasurer within the limits of the budget line. Administrative expenses which exceed the approved line amounts shall be authorized by the Representative Council.
Section 5. Courtesy expenses (mileage, meals, etc.) of members in the performance of Association duties, shall be reimbursed by voucher with attached receipts, upon approval of the President and Treasurer.
Section 6. The President may expend up to $100 per month in the areas of community relations, advertising or gifts without approval of the Representative Council if the timeliness would render the issue most. With timeliness provided, however, approval must be given by the Representative Council.
ARTICLE V: POWER OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1. Within the policies established by the Representative Council the Executive board shall be responsible for the following:
a. The management of the Association.
b. Approval of all committee appointments.
c. Recommend policies and programs to the Representative Council.
d. Set agenda for the Representative Council meetings.
e. Set the meeting schedule for the year.
f. Carry out policies of the Association.
g. Evaluate the progress of Committees as needed.
h. Assist in the review and development of committee recommendations.
Section 2 The Executive Board shall develop workshops and training conferences for all representatives.
ARTICLE VI: POWERS OF THE REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL
The Representative Council shall act on the following:
a. Approve and amend the budget.
b. Amend Constitution, Bylaws, and policies.
c. Adopt resolutions and other policy statements.
d. Adopt procedures for implementing the Code and Ethics and those to be followed in censuring, suspending and expelling members for cause or reinstating members.
e. Adopt procedures for evaluating the work of committees and chairpersons.
f. Adopt procedures for evaluating the work of officers.
g. Adopt rules governing the conduct of the Association.
h. Act [as the final] to appoint an impartial arbiter who will conduct a full hearing regarding internal disputes.
I. Ratify any amendments to an existing contract.
j. All powers not specifically delegated to the Executive Board or officers are vested in the Representative Council.
ARTICLE VII [FACULTY] BUILDING AND UNIT REPRESENTATIVES
a. In each public [school or] building for certificated staff and in each unit for
educational support staff in South Plainfield [housing Association members in good standing,] the membership of that [school or] building or unit shall elect for a term of two (2) years, one (1) [faculty] representative to the Representative Council for each ten (10) members or fraction thereof.
b. There shall be at least one (1) representative from each building and unit
c. Where two (2) or more such representatives are elected, a Head Association Representative shall be elected from among them.
d. Elections shall be held in each building before the Council meeting in April and are to be reported to the Council at that time.
e. They shall assume their duties at the next regular meeting of the Council in May.
f. Association Representatives and alternates who are new to the office must attend one Representative Council meeting, without vote, in order to be eligible to vote at any subsequent meeting.
g. Association representatives shall attend the regular meetings of the Representative Council.
h. Attendance shall be recorded in the minutes of the meetings.
i. In the event that it is impossible for an Association Representative to attend a Representative Council meeting, he/she or the Head Association Representative will designate a member who will serve as an alternate for that meeting.
ARTICLE VIII STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1 Structure
Committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President (Article Ill Section 1). Committees shall consist of at least two (2) additional members selected by the chairperson with approval of the Executive Board. Committees shall be formed after the
Representative Council meeting in April and shall assume their duties at the next regular meeting of the Council in May.
Section 2 Meetings
Each standing committee shall meet regularly according to a calendar developed by the Executive Board and may hold special meetings at the call of the chairperson.
Section 3 Reports
Each committee shall choose a secretary who shall keep a continuing record of activities. Chairpersons shall report items of action to the Representative Council and shall prepare an annual written report summarizing objectives, action programs, gains, and enriched goals, which the Executive Board shall file to become a part of the continuing committee record in the Association files.
Section 4 Titles and Duties
a. Negotiations shall negotiate with the Board of Education on hours, wages, and working conditions, including the instructional program, for all personnel in the negotiating unit. With the aid of appropriate standing committees, it shall prepare negotiation proposals to be approved by the Representative Council prior to being placed before the Board of Education. The committee shall consist of three (3) representatives for certificated members and one (1) representative for each unit for which there a vice president exists. Prior to any contract being submitted to the membership it must he endorsed by all members of the committee. In case of repetitive refusal of meeting of the representatives to the unit in question will then direct the vote me holdout representative upon reaching tentative agreement with the Board of Education on all matters in negotiation, the team shall prepare and submit its report and recommendation to the members of the Association at a ratification meeting called by the President. The Representative Council shall empower a team to negotiate any and all addenda to an existing contract.
b. Membership shall organize and conduct unified local, state and national membership enrollment among nonmembers and shall inform members of the policies, programs, services and accomplishments of the Association. It shall develop and conduct programs for the orientation of new teachers to the community, the school system, and the Association.
c. Professional Rights and Responsibilities shall develop Association positions on all matters pertaining to rights of Association members such as: academic freedom, leave, administrative discipline and dismissal, and grievance procedures and shall compile data for support of such positions in negotiations. It shall be made of representatives of all units No grievance shall he resolved without the consent of the unit representative of the unit from which the grievance was initiated It shall advise the Representative Council on implementation procedures for the Code of Ethics and the Executive Board in cases of censure, suspension, or expulsion of members. It shall develop a program of orientation to the Code of Ethics for members of the Association.
d. Instruction and Professional Development shall consider policies and practices in instruction, including growth through extension courses, in service programs, workshops, professional library and other professional activities, and shall review instruction proposals for the Negotiations Committee. The I.P.D. Committee will choose three (3) of its members to be S.P.E.A. delegates to the Educational Council. These three shall include one representative from each of the following groups secondary, middle school, and elementary schools. They shall meet as outlined in the negotiated contract with representatives of the Board of Education and Administration and perform duties as outlined in the contract.
e. Legislative shall have broad concern for local, state, and national legislation affecting the interest of schools, and teachers and the Association. It shall encourage members to exercise their civic and political rights and keep them informed about new legislation. It shall organize and oversee work in the following areas:
State Legislation study pending legislation and promote activities in support of desirable bills.
Federal Legislation: study legislation before the Congress and develop activities in support of desirable bills. Citizenship: to educate members and the public on the civic rights and responsibilities of teachers and develop programs that will encourage wide exercise of them.
f. Public Relations shall seek to develop public understanding of the purposes and programs of the Association, the values of public education, and programs of the Association, the values of public education, and programs of the schools, through all available channels of communication.
g. Scholarship and Community Relations shall select, from the senior class of South Plainfield High School, two candidates who shall be awarded the Frank R. Jost and the Nadia Szafransky Memorial Scholarships, and shall develop procedures by which the Association can participate in community service working cooperatively with parents and the public in civic, fraternal and social organizations for the welfare of the community.
h. Social shall organize such social activities as may serve the needs of members and promote fellowship within the Association.
i. Calendar shall prepare and present for approval by the membership alternate calendars for the school year. The General Membership shall select one of these, by ballot, for presentation to the Administration and the Board of Education.
j. Nominations and Elections shall perform duties as outlined in Article X.
k. Benefits Committee shall study the benefits as outlined in the existing contract investigate problems as members bring them to the attention of the committee and to make recommendations to the Representative council and Negotiations Committee regarding such benefits.
Section 5. Relation to Executive Board
The Executive Board shall assist the President and the Committee Chairpersons in selecting members of the standing committees, and in filling all unexpired terms as vacancies occur, and shall plan for an organization committee conference each year. It shall require and assist committees to define their immediate and long range objectives through priorities set by member involvement. Chairpersons shall organize subcommittees wherever necessary.
Section 6. Relation to County, State, and National Associations
The standing committees shall seek to understand and relate to the objectives and programs of corresponding units of county, state and national associations and shall counsel with them.
ARTICLE IX: SPECIAL COMMITTEES
The President shall appoint other special committees as may be necessary and shall discharge them upon completion of their duties. The committees shall operate according to rules approved by the Representative Council. No officer of the Association shall serve on the Nominations and Elections Committee which shall be elected by and from the Representative Council.
ARTICLE X: ELECTIONS
Section 1 Nominations
a. The Nominating Committee shall meet during the month of March to prepare a slate of candidates for the following officers: President, [First] Vice President/Certificate Personnel Vice President/Secretaries, Vice President/Custodians and
Maintenance Vice President/Van Drivers Vice President/Paraprofessionals, Vice
President/Cafeteria Workers, [Second Vice President], Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer. The active members of the Association in each building may submit in writing, the names of the nominees (along with written consent of the nominees) to the Head Association Representative for transmittal to the Nominating Committee.
b. The Committee of Elections shall report all nominations to the Representative Council at the March meeting. Members of the Council may nominate other candidates from the floor, with their consent.
c. The Committee on Elections shall publish the slate to the General Membership along with brief information on each candidate in April.
Section 2 Balloting
By the second week in April members shall vote for officers by ballot, in accordance with procedures developed by the Committee on Elections and approved by the Representative Council. The Committee on Elections shall report results to the President who shall cause them to be published. New officers shall be installed at the May meeting of the Representative Council.
ARTICLE XI
AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order (revised) shall be the authority for the Association.
ARTICLE XII AMENDMENT
These bylaws may be amended by the majority vote at any regular meeting of the Representative Council provided that proposed amendments have been previously studied by the Executive Board and that copies have been sent to Faculty Representatives two calendar weeks in advance of the meeting.
Educators know that addressing bullying in our schools is critical to ensuring all children a safe learning environment free from harassment and intimidation. Bullying adversely affects students’ ability to participate in or benefit from educational programs and school activities.
This week, the powerful film “Bully” will be released nationwide. The film takes viewers inside the real lives of young people who day-in and day-out are tormented by bullies. It dispels forever the myth that “kids-will-be-kids” and bullying is a harmless rite of passage. On April 10, NEA hosted an advanced screening of the film, including a panel discussion with the film’s director and one of the students featured in the film.
Take Action Today: NEA is urging all educators to join our “Bully Free” campaign:
- Take the Bully Free pledge.
- Join students in the May 4 Stand Up to Bullying Day. To sign up go tostand4change.org.
- Read NEA’s press release about the Bully Free campaign.
- Watch NEA President Dennis Van Roekel being interviewed about bullying.
- Read NEA Vice President Lily Eskelsen’s latest blog post, “Go to the Movies, Save a Life.”
- Check out StopBullying.gov for resources you can use to prevent bullying.
- Urge Congress to pass legislation introduced by Senator Casey (D-PA) and Representative Sanchez (D-CA) to assist school districts and schools in thwarting bullying and harassment.
TOPIC: XYZ’S OF RETIREMENT
WHERE: THE EAST BRUNSWICK CHATEAU
678 CRANBURY ROAD
EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J.
WHEN : APRIL 25, 2012
TIME: REGISTRATION: 4:00-4:45 PM
Check your school email (thanks, John) for an application. Fill out and return to Sue McAndrews at the High School no later than Wednesday, April 11, 2012.
Yesterday morning, NJEA was notified that our 2011 ELEC report (mandated political expenditure report to the state) had been released. It showed that NJEA spent approximately $10.8M in advertising – primarily between last March and July to counter Gov. Christie’s attacks on NJEA, and to drive home the point that his policies and priorities favored millionaires over working people and public education.
Governor Christie held a news conference at 11:30, the initial purpose of which was to announce legislation to fix the anti-bullying law. Once that was out of the way, he fielded a question about the ELEC report and he was off and running.
(For a superb overview of this entire matter, please read what the “Jersey Jazzman” blogger had to say in today’s posting.)
Among Christie’s statements yesterday were the following:
· That he feels “badly” for our members, who are paying dues every year to put “this kind of garbage” on the air; he referred to our ads as “vitriolic nonsense.”
· That he wasn’t shocked to learn we spent that much, since NJEA’s approach is to “bully people” if they don’t get what they want.
· He then went off on an outrageous tangent, suggesting that NJEA might not be fully reporting its expenditures, since there are “things the law doesn’t cover.” That is patently untrue: NJEA reports every penny of its political expenditures. (Meanwhile, the people who fund his glowing TV ads touting his achievements do not have to disclose their identities, nor the amount of their contributions, thanks to federal law.)
· Then, Christie said there was a “desperate need” for a change in the NJEA leadership, attacking NJEA President Barbara Keshishian and Executive Director Vince Giordano and calling for them to be replaced.
· He added that NJEA’s dues would be better spent on paying the costs of our members’ pensions and health benefits – even though that is entirely nonsensical.
Media response was immediate, and we did extensive interviews with a large number of outlets. We also tweeted repeatedly during the news conference, countering the governor.
Points you may wish to share with your members:
· The advertising we did to counter Governor Christie’s attacks came about as a direct response to the desire of our members, expressed through you and to the NJEA Executive Committee and Delegate Assembly.
· This funding for these ads did NOT come of NJEA’s 2011 operating budget. It was allocated out of NJEA’s reserves, our “rainy day fund,” if you will, accumulated over many years. The Executive Committee and Delegate Assembly voted to appropriate these resources in order to defend our members and counter the governor’s misinformation campaign.
· It is a fact of life that Governor Christie doesn’t have to pay to get his message out – he just calls a press conference and gets millions of dollars in free media. NJEA must pay to get its message out if we want to have total control over content, and that is what we did.
· These were truly extraordinary expenditures – unprecedented in NJEA’s history. But we had never been attacked by a governor the way Christie attacked us, from the moment he took office. Those attacks are continuing, as yesterday’s events show.
· The primary purpose of the campaign was to drive home the point that the governor’s priorities were the issue: he would rather cut public education than restore the “millionaires’ tax.” Those are still his priorities, since he wants to cut the income tax by 10 percent, most of which would go to millionaires.
· The vast majority of the advertising was conducted between March and June on the “Millionaires for Christie” campaign, and it worked. Our polling over the summer showed overwhelmingly that voters believed Christie is more interested in providing tax cuts to millionaires than funding public education.
· Christie has been conducting an attack campaign against NJEA and its members for 2 years, and despite his insistence that he likes teachers, but not their union, he has attacked our members repeatedly in the media.
· Christie will continue to attack NJEA in an effort to drive a wedge between NJEA and its members, because he is a leading proponent of a national strategy to weaken and ultimately destroy public sector unions in America. We are standing up to him, and he does not like that.
· His strategy is clear: through these attacks, he wants to create a smokescreen to divert attention away from his woeful record on funding for public education, and his ideological – as opposed to research-based – “reforms” for tenure, evaluation, and compensation. Our job is to not let him get away with that.
Christie is scheduled to have yet another “Town Hall” meeting today in Florence, at which he will no doubt continue his attacks on NJEA.
We will not back down in the face of those attacks, and we will continue to point out his lies and distortions at every opportunity.
| Take action on tenure |
| NJEA supports smart tenure reform that preserves due process and strengthens the profession. But NJEA opposes Sen. Teresa Ruiz’s bill, S-1455, which allows districts to take away tenure after two poor evaluations, yet provides no opportunity for teachers to challenge the validity of those evaluations. Dubbed the TEACHNJ Act, the bill would leave schools and teachers vulnerable to inappropriate political influence. A comparison of S-1455 and the NJEA proposal highlights the significant problems with the TEACHNJ Act. NJEA has already shared this information with key legislators and legislative leaders. Now it’s your turn to take action.
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| Technology Integration Institute |
| NJEA is co-sponsoring two professional development educational technology events this spring. On Saturday, April 28, the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is a co-sponsor and the host of the first Technology Integration Institute. The Southern Regional Institute and Educational Technology Training Center (SRI&ETTC) is also a co-sponsor. The second Technology Integration Institute will be held on Saturday, May 12, at Kean University and will be co-sponsored by NJEA, Kean University, and the School for Global Education and Innovation at Kean University.Both events will run from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the cost for each is $30. Each attendee will earn four professional development hours.Visit NJEA’s website for workshop details and registration information.
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| Protecting Paychecks |
| Income protection is an important consideration for financial security. The NJEA-sponsored disability insurance program is designed to fill the need of to protect their income in the event of exhaustion of sick leave. Open enrollments are offered to local associations approximately once every three years. For additional information click here or call 800-727-3414 (prompt #3).
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| Legislative news |
| You’ll find a rundown of current legislation on NJEA’s website. |
The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on Monday, March 5 on S-1455, a tenure bill that would essentially eliminate tenure by taking away due process rights from tenured New Jersey teachers.
The bill, sponsored by Education Committee Chair Sen. Teresa Ruiz, allows districts to take away tenure after two poor evaluations, but provides no opportunity for teachers to challenge the validity of those evaluations. Dubbed the TEACHNJ Act, the bill would leave schools and teachers vulnerable to inappropriate political influence.
NJEA will oppose the bill, and promote its own proactive tenure reform proposal, which streamlines the process but preserves due process rights to protect effective teachers from mistreatment.
A comparison of the two bills highlights the significant problems with the TEACHNJ Act. NJEA has already shared this information with key legislators and legislative leaders.
NJEA is urging members to take action. Contact your legislators today and urge them to support NJEA’s smart tenure reform proposal that puts great teachers in every classroom and protects those teachers from political interference and mistreatment.
Mr. John Q. Angeline
SPEA Public Relations
NJEA Legislative and Political Action Committee
Nancy on February 28, 2012 in Uncategorized | No Comments »Over the weekend, I attended the NJEA Legislative and Political Action Committee conference. The conference was held to inform members of the upcoming legislative issues regarding our profession. There were breakout sessions, by county, with legislators; I sat in on the Middlesex County session with Patrick Diegnan.
Throughout the conference, there was discussion regarding tenure, evaluations, and the 10% income tax cut/budget. I am going to provide some links below as well as some talking points to help better understand what is going on in the legislative world regarding our profession.
The first comment that was made, by Steve Beatty, chair of the NJEA Government Relations Committee, which I feel is especially important, was this: “You cannot truly advocate for your students unless you advocate for your profession.” This is a very poignant statement! With that, NJEA has a Political Action Committee (PAC) that funds various “supporters of education and helps those in office to understand the concerns of public school staff.” It is an additional fund that is voluntary and can be deducted from your paycheck. Currently, of the entire state membership, only 18% are involved with this fund. Regardless of your political views or feelings of past matters, this is a time where every member counts. I urge you to consider contributing to this fund. You can donate as little as $1 a month ($3 recommended) or as much more as you seem fit. For more information, please contact me (you can also logon to NJEA.org and read more about PAC). I will get you the necessary information.
Second, NJEA is very much involved with social networking and media technology. If you are on facebook, you can join the NJEA page; if you are on twitter, you can follow @NJEA. Also, NJEA has a mobile/text update service. If you are interested, you can text the word UNITY to 738674 to be updated on the most recent news and issues via text message.
Third, many members of the panels are in agreement that the tenure laws and evaluations need to be reformed. Even NJEA has created a proposal to reform these items. The legislators that I met with all agree that the governor is not realistic when it comes to the sweeping reforms that he wants to make to tenure and evaluations.
Fourth, with regards to the 10% income tax cut in the governor’s proposed budget, here is a talking point that I found very interesting and wanted to share. The proposed income tax cut would be phased in over a three year period. Someone making $50,000/year would see $26/$53/$80 per month over the phase in, while some of the millionaire people would see $8K/$16K/$25K per month over the phase in. While that seems like absurd, here is the 10% income tax cut in perspective: a family making $30K/year would be able to afford to take their family of 4 to McDonald’s for dinner with the tax cut. A family making $60K/year would be able to afford to take their family of 4 to The Olive Garden for dinner. While a family making $1 million/year would be able to afford to take their family of 4 to a nice Italian dinner, IN ITALY! Now, that’s a perspective of the 10% income tax cut. All of the legislators stated that this tax cut is not what NJ needs. They are pushing the governor to reform property taxes.
Finally, being a presidential election year, one of the speakers discussed how in NJ, many people’s opinion of former governor Corzine was take him or leave him. On a national level, many people feel the same way about President Obama. The speaker cautioned that in NJ, we took the attitude of nothing will change when the election of governor took place two years ago. Look where we are now!
The first link that you should visit is www.educationvotes.org. There is a lot of information on the site. NJEA/NEA is also looking for members to become “An Educator for Obama!”
The second link that you should visit is www.educationvotes.nea.org/wp-
Thank you for your time in reading the information above. It is very important that we all take action and become involved in our profession.
Mr. John Q. Angeline
SPEA Public Relations
This message is for those of you who have Cigna.
There are some great features of our Medical Benefits that you may not know.
By registering on the my.cigna.com website, you can see your benefits, deductibles, search for providers, get health information, go green with your EOBs and much more. To register on the site, all you need is some personal information and your ID number from your card.
Cigna also covers Vision. Once you are registered for my.cigna.com, you can click on “learn more” under Vision and it will take you to the covered benefits. For instance, mine says “Your plan provides for an eye exam every 12 months beginning in January.” The co-pay is $5. It also covers glasses and contacts.
Cigna has many plans. South Plainfield offers Open Access and PPO. That information can be found on your ID card. Whenever you are looking for a provider, please be sure that the provider accepts your specific plan. There have been instances where a provider accepts Cigna, but not necessarily your specific plan.
If you need more information, you can also visit the staff online benefits page and login (soplainfield/benefits). As always, if you need specific information, contact Debra Schroeder at ext. 208.
South Plainfield Middle School students saw a feature on “Channel 1” about Teens for Jeans. When the students expressed an interest in the program, Mrs. Denice Hogan researched it. It is featured by the organization “Do Something.org” and run in conjunction with Aeropostale. The program collects jeans to distribute to homeless shelters in our local community. We were happy to accept jeans of all sizes.
The students, Anna Williams, Rebecca Ng and Nicole Goitaiandia worked with Mrs. Hogan, Principal-Kevin Hajduk, Assistant Principal-Tameika DuPiche, the Student Council and Peer to Peer to organize this event.
And what an event is was!! It was student against student, team against team and class against class. Our original goal was 500 pairs of jeans and a wish for 1000 pairs. The students worked feverishly, asking everyone they knew, and we had a final total of 2638 pairs of jeans.
It was a wonderful competition to start of School Spirit Week and the students had a fabulous time doing it and learned a valuable lesson of helping others.
A great job was done by all.
Check out the new “Voter Information” page to stay updated on important legislation changes.
