HACKENSACK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Faculty Council Meeting

October 28, 2002

The October 28, 2002 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 September 23, 2002 minutes was made by Vida Story and approved.

OFFICER’S REPORTS

Treasurer. The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Acting Treasurer Mark Porto. 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. The BCEA Representative distributed a standards packet and survey sheet. The standards will be voted on in December; BCEA requests the surveys be returned to them. A Substitute Survival Kit is available at BCEA headquarters. A guide to the teacher’s convention is also available; busses can be taken to Trump Plaza for a $20 fee. NJEA will be celebrating its 150^th anniversary in 2003. Members are encouraged to vote in the November 5 elections and to vote for Henry McNamara and Anne Sumers. It was noted there was a 20% increase in the 2001

teaching force. Elaine Williamson was appointed to the state elections committee.

Vice President. The Vice President reported that a Vice Principal attended a TALC meeting; this is not in agreement with our contract.

President. President Curtis reported meeting with three teachers about possible grievances. President Curtis stated he received a letter from Dr. Montesano regarding the early dismissal days, but received no response to the duty-free planning periods. The high school ventilator problems have been understood and will be repaired. President Curtis stated that additional teacher assistants at the high school had been promised.

SCHOOL REPORTS

High School. There are problems with class size; many subject areas have classes of 27 - 30 students. Classes have already closed, but students are still registering. Guidance counselors are overwhelmed and cannot meet with their assigned students. There appears to be more concern about standardized testing scores than class size. Inclusion classes have 28 - 30 students. There is not enough classroom space. The Period 1 - 9 schedule is not conducive for teachers to provide extra help. There is concern about the possible loss of two computer labs.

Middle School. Morale is low. Class sizes are 26 - 27 students with inclusion classes having 30 students. Students are still registering. Language arts teachers are requested to attend workshops during their lunch and prep periods. The role of staff developers needs clarification; they are members of our Association and are not administrators. Some evaluations of veteran teachers who are conscientious and hard working were very poor; is this a trend?

5ive6ix School. There is concern about class size.

Parker. There is concern about duty-free planning periods. Seniority for teacher assistants was questioned. Up to three professional days are permitted in our contract. There is $3000 alloted for field trips, but private busses are costly, limiting the amount of field trips.

Jackson Avenue. Fabiola Madrid stated her teacher attended a conference at Dr. Riley’s office and was to return at 10:20 a.m., but did not return from the meeting until 1:00 p.m.; there was no call to indicate that the teacher was going to return late. There was an incident in the class and no one was available to assist.

Hillers. There is concern about class size.

Fairmount. An assistant principal attended the TALC meeting; this is not provided for in our contract.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership. The NJEA membership list does not match our list of members. We are working to resolve this.

Election. A faculty council teacher assistant is needed at the 5ive6ix school; one additional faculty council member is needed at the high school.

Social. Reservations are in place for the convention.

Negotiations. Our committee has met to review suggestions and requests that have been submitted.

Legislative. Fliers regarding voting will be distributed; all are encouraged to vote November 5.

Professional Rights and Responsibilities. This was included in the President’s Report.

Teacher Education. Mark Porto will chair the Teacher Education Committee. Classes have been scheduled for the spring.

T.A.L.C. This was included in the Vice President’s report.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION. There were no recommendations.

OLD BUSINESS. There was no old business.

NEW BUSINESS. The High School Student Council will sponsor a Homecoming and Pep Rally at 7:00 p.m. on November 27. The Student Council also requests that elementary schools, 5ive6ix School, and Middle School march in the Thanksgiving Day parade.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were no announcements.

ADJOURNMENT. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:41 p.m. on motion by Vida Story.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Gancarz

Recording Secretary