HACKENSACK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Faculty Council Meeting

March 24, 2003

The March 24, 2003 HEA Faculty Council Meeting was called to order in the Middle School Faculty Dining Room at 3:34 p.m. by President Robert Curtis.

A motion to accept the February 24, 2003 minutes was made by Vida Story and approved.

OFFICER’S REPORTS

Treasurer. The Treasurer’s Report was presented. A motion to accept the report was made by Vida Story and approved.

Corresponding Secretary. The Corresponding Secretary had no report.

Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary had no report.

BCEA Representative. A mass writing in support of Bill A2785 regarding retiree health benefits as a property right was strongly urged. It was also recommended that the subcontracting bill support property rights as well. BCEA will host a reception at the Sheraton during Teachers’ Convention in November. A Summer Leadership program will be held at the Holiday Inn in Saddle Brook on August 14. The legislative dinner is April 9. There will be a table at the Garden State Plaza on April 4 promoting “Get Out to Vote” on April 14. There are a number of Hackensack staff on the NJEA ballot.

HEA Minutes March 24, 2003 page 2

Vice President. As the Vice President was not in attendance, there was no report.

President. One grievance has resolved itself.

SCHOOL REPORTS

Reports were made by each school in the district.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership. Forms have been sent to recently-hired staff.

Election. A slate of candidates for 2003-04 school year was presented. It was suggested that nominations be opened at the February Faculty Council meeting in the future. Vida Story and Betty Manning were elected to attend the NEA Conference.

Social. Fliers for the Honors Dinner will be distributed on March 28.

Negotiations. The Negotiations Committee will meet with the Board on Tuesday, March 25 to exchange proposals.

Legislative. It was strongly recommended to write to Assembly representatives Sorlo and Greenstein to support A2785 and to Senators Furmen and Sweeney to support S1967 regarding health pensions as a property right. In the local election, there are two questions on the ballot: the budget and specific programs. Members were requested to make reminder phone calls; phone lists will be provided.

Professional Rights and Responsibilities. This was covered with the President’s report.

Teacher Education. As the Teacher Education chair was not present, there was no report.

T.A.L.C. Reports should be sent to the Vice President.

HEA Minutes March 24, 2003 page 3

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION. There were no recommendations.

OLD BUSINESS. There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS. There is a problem with a lack of substitutes and the caliber of the substitutes in the elementary schools. Teachers are entitled to a duty-free planning period; concern was expressed that some administrators have grown lax in their respect for this right. Elementary teachers felt slighted when told they must pay out-of-pocket for expenses for professional days and conferences and then learned that administrators (with guests) attended out-of-state conferences with all expenses paid.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were no announcements.

ADJOURNMENT. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:38 p.m. on motion by Vida Story.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Gancarz

Recording Secretary