HACKENSACK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
Faculty Council Meeting
April 17, 2006
The April 17, 2006 HEA Faculty Council meeting in the High School Library was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by President Fran Borg.
Vida Story made a motion to accept the minutes of the March 20, 2006 Faculty Council meeting. The motion was carried.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
Treasurer. Lorelei Kaminsky presented the HEA Trial Balance as of March 31, 2006. Vida Story made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as presented. The motion was carried.
Corresponding Secretary. There was no report.
Recording Secretary. There was no report.
BCEA Representative. Elaine Williamson was not present, but President Fran Borg had received a call from her stressing the importance of getting out the vote for the April 18, 2006 election. Vida Story noted that it was important for phone calls to be made on Election Day to ask voters if they had voted yet. The BCEA thanked us for our support at the recent Legislative Dinner. Fran received an email from the President of the National Association asking members to email the legislators. Vida Story suggested letter writing because each letter counts as 100 votes in the eyes of the state legislators. President Borg stated that Rep. Steve Rothman voted almost 100% in favor of the education bills that were presented.
Vice President. Amy Fink is continuing to receive T.A.L.C. reports and reminded each school to schedule a second T.A.L.C. meeting in May.
President. Fran Borg will work on a letter to be sent out to NJ Legislators after spring break for the next letter-writing campaign. Members were give the web address for the NJ Division of Pensions and Benefits for accessing pension information online at
http://www.state.nj.us./treasury/pensions/
It is important for all members to check their seniority list to be sure that the Board’s records are accurate, as well as the years of service regarding pensions. An automated information system can be used at (609) 777-1777, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Faculty Council election results have been posted at each school. President Borg thanked Betty Meeks Manning for her dedicated service in the previous years. There are still some vacancies. Please send names of nominees to Fran Borg so that they can be put on the agenda and voted for at the May meeting. Amy Fink stated that Faculty Council members from each school should have an election to determine the building leaders before the next general meeting. The members of the Professional Development Committee are Sonia Recarte, Lorraine La Pietra, Maria Catena, and John Spadafino.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Membership. Denise Corso will continue to update the membership list.
Elections. Fran Borg thanked the committee for their work during the recent elections.
Social. Maria Matera stated she has a retiree database dating back to 1992. If anyone knows of retirees who would like information regarding social events, please email their names to Amy Fink or Maria Matera.
Negotiations. There will be no news until after the April 18th election.
Legislative. Vida Story again stressed the importance of getting out the vote.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION. There was none.
OLD BUSINESS. President Fran Borg noted the importance of letting non-tenured teachers know that Principals and the Board of Education are in the process of discussing hirings and firings. It was noted that the Board, according to the No Child Left Behind Law, cannot offer a contract if a certificate is not forthcoming after a certain amount of time has passed or if the Praxis is not taken and passed. It is important to file all papers by the deadlines given. Fran Borg will work on the orientation for substitutes at the elementary school level.
NEW BUSINESS. Ingrid Davis-Duncan will review the job descriptions for Para educators.
SCHOOL REPORTS. Individual school reports were presented.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were none.
ADJOURNMENT. Vida Story made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:35 p.m. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Melanie Stagg
Recording Secretary