The December 13, 1999 HEA meeting was called to order by President Robert Curtis at 3:33 p.m.

The November 15, 1999 minutes were corrected. A motion to accept the corrections was made by Vida Story and seconded. A motion to accept the corrected minutes was made by Vida Story and seconded.

The Treasurer’s Report for November 1999 was presented. A motion to accept the report was made by Vida Story and seconded.

The Corresponding Secretary read a letter of thanks from Fran Mueller regarding the Opening Day Luncheon.

The BCEA representative was not present; the President presented his report. Members are urged to write their State representatives regarding subcontracting in the schools. Support is asked for the Waldwick and Emerson school districts with their contract negotiations. Federal government legislative reports are available for review. NJEA is boycotting the Marriott Corporation because of their employment practices. There is a proposal for obtaining prescription cards for retirees. There is a PAC Meeting on February 26 at the Hyatt in East Brunswick; a notice about this workshop will be sent to building leaders.

The Vice President was not present; there was no report.

The President distributed letters to each school about part-time financial employment. There was discussion about scheduling at the Middle School.

There was no Membership Committee report.

There was no Social Committee report.

The Negotiations Committee reported they will meet after today’s HEA meeting. Proposals will be exchanged on December 15; a meeting is scheduled for January 4.

There was no Legislative Committee report.

HEA Minutes Page 2 December 13, 1999

The Elections Committee reported the resignation of Dana Nastasi as Parker School Faculty Council Representative. June Porto nominated Colleen Rullo as a Parker School Faculty Council Representative. Vida Story seconded the nomination. A vote was held; Colleen Rullo was unanimously elected.

The Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committee report was combined with the President’s report. Evan Goldman is working on these problems.

The Teacher Education Committee reported that three winter in-service courses will be offered in January. Notices were sent to all schools. June Porto stated that guidelines need to be established for selecting courses and for how many instructors will present courses. All committees have not been set in place for the 100-hours requirement that is scheduled to begin in September 2000.

A TALC report was submitted from Fairmount School. The High School TALC met with Mr. DeFalco on November 30; a report is being prepared. Hillers’ TALC report will be submitted in January. Parker School needs another TALC member.

Old Business. There is a serious concern over the lack of subs. Some teachers in the elementary schools have missed three preps in one week because of having to cover classes. It was stated that the salary for a teaching assistant sub is only $35.

New Business. Regina Brennan resigned as Faculty Council Representative because of health reasons. It was questioned if the job description of the high school nurse is going to change. The question of prep time arose. School nurses and librarians have a right to 40 minutes of duty-free prep time. Mark Porto introduced a motion to amend Article 10 in the HEA by-laws regarding dues. The proposal is to increase teacher dues by $0.50 per pay period or $10 per year, and to increase teaching assistant dues by $0.10 per pay period or $2 per year. Vida Story seconded the motion. Discussion followed as to the reasons for the increase. They included: increased costs for the Opening Day Luncheon and the Honors Dinner, in-service courses, and no increase in more than 30 years. A vote was taken to accept the motion. All representatives present voted yes. Representatives were instructed that a formal vote would occur at next month’s meeting. IDA is sending statements verifying payments dating from June. Claims may be made to IDA until June 2000.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Valerie Gancarz, Recording Secretary