HACKENSACK
EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Faculty Council Meeting
March 21, 2005
The March 21, 2005 HEA Faculty Council
Meeting in the High School Library was called to order by President Nikki Van
Ess at 3:37 p.m.
A motion to accept the minutes of the previous
month’s Faculty Council Meeting was presented by Vida Story and carried by
unanimous vote.
Lou Ferrante, Negotiations Chairman,
discussed getting out a survey to all members for the purpose of writing down
points they wish to be considered during the negotiations process. These surveys will be looked over and ranked
by the Negotiations Committee. Lou
requested the surveys be returned to him no later than April 15. If there are any questions, please contact
Lou Ferrante, President Nikki Van Ess, or Vice President Fran Borg.
OFFICER’S REPORTS
Treasurer. Lorelei Kaminsky presented the February 28
Treasurer’s Report. A motion to accept
the report was made by Vida Story and was carried by unanimous vote.
Corresponding Secretary. Betty Meeks Manning notified members of a
change in date for the HEA Shirt Day due to a shipping delay. The new date is
Monday, April 18.
Recording
Secretary.
The Recording Secretary had no report.
President. Nikki Van Ess stated issues at Hillers and
Fairmount Schools are being worked on.
Madalena Zak has distributed ballots for nominations for the HEA
Executive Board and representatives.
Bill S1701 is dead on the table right now, and this is a huge
problem. The Board of Education has
kept most of our staff in the budget.
Ten people in the entire district will be “pink slipped.” Notification
is due by May 15. Dr. Montesano has
invited Nikki and Lou Ferrante to a meeting regarding the fiscal realities to
be faced. In an effort to make the
Honors Dinner accessible for more people, this year’s Dinner will cost $55.00
per person, down from the $58.00 cost of last year’s. Toni De Luca has been offering “Lunch and Learn” programs which
provide professional development for teachers.
Lisa Bernardo explained that they have been offered at the high school
from November through April. Toni’s
office shared the cost of the lunches with the building principal. It was stated that it would be helpful to
have a third party, the HEA, pay part of the cost. Chris Ryan suggested the
Association hold off on the vote on this
issue until the members have time to give more thought to it. Nikki noted that the Executive Board
President needs a computer in the high school that would be used specifically
for HEA purposes. She requested
opinions on getting a laptop computer because of its portability. Elaine Williamson motioned that it was
appropriate to necessitate funds for the HEA laptop computer for the President. The motion carried. Nikki will speak to Maria Matera regarding
inviting the secretaries to the Opening Day Luncheon. Invitations will go out to them as soon as possible, and Toni De
Luca’s office and the HEA will share the costs. Nikki also stated she would not run for President for the next
school year.
BCEA
Representative. Elaine Williamson encouraged members to
attend the Legislative Dinner at the Venetian on Wednesday, April 6. The cost for the dinner is $50.00 per
person. Elaine also spoke about a March
15 Bergen Record newspaper article by Jeffrey Paige. Referring to the recent “Parade Magazine”
that listed the salaries of various professionals, Mr. Paige wrote a
complimentary article about teachers.
Elaine will make a copy of the article available to anyone who requests
it. Elaine also stressed the importance
of calling the Governor at
1-888-303-6402 to
voice opposition to the Constitutional Convention. NJEA elections are coming, and the following have been
endorsed: Lee Flanagan, Educational Support Staff and Joe Cheff,
Secretary/Treasurer. A list of the
Bergen County towns that have a policy of accepting domestic partner
relationships is available from Elaine.
A pension workshop is scheduled at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton on Thursday,
April 7. On April 8 and 9 an overnight
leadership development session for educators is being offered at the Hasbrouck
Heights Hilton Hotel. There are
sessions on both Friday, April 8, and Saturday, April 9. It is not necessary to stay overnight at the
hotel, though that is an option. Elaine
stressed the importance of getting out to campaign for the passing of the
school budget. April 18, the day before
the vote, volunteers will be at the Garden State Plaza to pass out literature
regarding the budget. It is important
to continue to make phone calls to legislators in order to inform them that our
members have been educated and are mobilized.
A few teachers have responded to the December 15, 2004 Commissioner’s
White Paper. Elaine encouraged members
to go the NJEA website and respond to this paper.
Vice President. Fran Borg
is still missing a T.A.L.C. report from Jackson Avenue School. Fran stated that she and President Nikki Van
Ess would personally go to each school for Monday meetings and to encourage
members to be more pro-active.
School Reports. Individual school reports were discussed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Legislative. Vida Story will be sending information to
each school regarding the upcoming school budget vote. Please volunteer to make calls to fellow
educators on the Sunday and Monday prior to the vote to remind them to vote.
Volunteer callers are also needed on voting day.
President Nikki Van Ess stated that it is
important to inform voters that there is nothing new coming into the
budget. Vida also noted that the
Teacher Education Committee did have a T.A.L.C. meeting.
Teacher Education. Lisa Bernardo reported the Power Point
class, being taught by Diane Menditto and Eileen Hooper, has a few seats
available. Nikki Van Ess added that
teachers could teach a course for the Summer Professional Development Institute
through Ann Small’s office.
OLD BUSINESS. There was no old business.
NEW
BUSINESS. There was no new business.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were no announcements.
ADJOURNMENT. On motion by Vida Story, with no further business, the meeting
was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melanie Stagg
Recording Secretary