The
October 25, 2004 HEA Faculty Council Meeting was called to order in the High
School Library at 3:35 p.m. by President Nikki Van Ess.
A motion to accept the minutes of the September 27, 2004 Faculty Council Meeting was presented by Vida Story and carried by unanimous vote.
OFFICER’S REPORTS
Treasurer. Lorelei Kaminsky presented the 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 read a letter from Superintendent Joseph Montesano regarding the October 13, 2004 rally held at Paramus High School, noting that Hackensack was the best represented school district at the rally.
Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary had no report.
BCEA Representative. Elaine Williamson spoke about the letter writing campaign and the importance of stating specifics about how it will hurt children when writing to our congressional representatives. It was suggested that problems with the NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT should also be shared with one’s representatives. Elaine stated that the BCEA is supporting the following: John Kerry/John Edwards, Steve Rothman for 9th District Representative, and Freeholders, Calabrese, Padilla, and Carroll. Volunteers are needed to man the BCEA phone bank between the hours of 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Thursday, October 28 and Monday, November 1 for the purpose of reminding people to vote on Tuesday, November 2. Please call the BCEA office if interested. Elaine reminded members they need both a badge and a membership card in order to enter the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City.
Vice President Fran Borg requested members visit only non-striking venues (such as the Borgata and the Trump properties) in their “off time.” President Nikki Van Ess requested the BCEA offer a “Grievance Workshop.”
Vice President. Fran Borg noted there is currently a grievance on file.
President. Nikki Van Ess discussed the bagel breakfast/letter writing campaign and answered questions regarding the process. Faculty parking problems at the various schools were discussed. Chris Ryan has agreed to chair the PRIDE committee and committee members and ideas are needed. Nikki stated that any problems regarding the maximum room temperatures should first be addressed through T.A.L.C. before going to the HEA. A Negotiations Team is still in the process of being formed. Attendance at both Board of Education and PTSA meetings is strongly recommended. It was noted that Amy Fink has a group email for the high school and suggestions were made by Ron Durso to create one for each school building. Nikki will conduct a contract meeting at the Parker and Hillers Schools in the near future. For those planning to retire within the next three years, BCEA is offering a Retirement Workshop on Tuesday, November 23 (4-7 p.m.) at the Meadowlands Environmental Center in Lyndhurst. There is also a workshop for teacher assistants on Wednesday, November 17, at the Hasbrouck Heights Hilton Hotel. Registration is from 4-5 p.m. and workshops run from 5-7 p.m. Ron Durso has resigned from the Local Professional Development Committee. Betty Meeks Manning expressed an interest in being a member of the committee and was nominated by Vida Story. The nomination was carried by unanimous vote. Teresa Ochman was nominated by Vida Story to replace Nancy Roman as representative from Nellie K. Parker School. Teresa was elected by unanimous vote. Nikki noted there are several excellent, informative web sites:
www.njea.org (contracts, state laws, etc.)
www.hea.org (meeting information)
www.bcea.org (coming soon)
School Reports. Individual school reports were discussed.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Membership. There was no report from the Membership Committee.
Election. There was no report from the Election Committee.
Social. Maria Matera reported that there are two extra hotel rooms available for the NJEA Convention in Atlantic City for the evenings of Wednesday (November 3), Thursday (November 4), and Friday (November 5). Please contact Maria if interested in attending.
Negotiations. There was no report from the Negotiations Committee.
Legislative. Vida Story stressed the importance of members volunteering at the BCEA phone bank.
Professional Rights and Responsibilities. There was no report from the Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee.
Teacher Education. There was no report from the Teacher Education Committee.
T.A.L.C. There was no report from the T.A.L.C. Committee.
NEW BUSINESS
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION FOR ACTION. There were no recommendations.
OLD BUSINESS. There was no old business.
NEW BUSINESS. There will be meetings at each school regarding Megan’s law. Vice President Fran Borg stated that as Grievance Chair, she needs specific documentation in writing when working on solving a grievance.
ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were no announcements.
ADJOURNMENT. On motion by Vida Story, with no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melanie Stagg
Recording Secretary