HACKENSACK EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Faculty Council Meeting

December 16, 2002

The December 16, 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 November 18, 2002 minutes was made by Vida Story and approved.

OFFICER’S REPORTS

Treasurer. The Treasurer was absent. The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Dr. Curtis. 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 was absent.

Vice President. The Vice President will schedule an appointment with Dr. Montesano at the end of January to discuss TALC concerns. TALC reports should be sent to her.

President. President Curtis met with Dr. Montesano on December 13. A grievance was resolved concerning a Middle School guidance counselor regarding teaching a class in addition to counseling duties. The problem of a teacher’s incorrect placement on the salary guide when hired is being handled. Any teacher who is involved in a grievance or discipline matter is entitled to representation; adequate time should be provided for the teacher to arrange for representation. Lynn Berhalter and Richard Rau were appointed to the Calendar Committee.

SCHOOL REPORTS

Fairmount. There are problems with lack of substitutes for teacher assistants and lack of street parking. There is concern about the teacher work load. First- and second-grade teachers were inundated with forms related to a staff development program. Fourth-grade teachers were asked to work on a math and science curriculum.

Hillers. There is a problem with lack of substitutes for teacher assistants. Reading coaches are being utilized as substitutes. A TALC report was submitted.

Jackson Avenue. As no one from the school was present, no report was given.

Parker. Off-the-record comments.

5ive6ix School. A faculty roster was handed in for the Membership Chair. They will have their TALC meeting in January.

Middle School. Work conditions have improved. The principal seems more aware of teacher work load.

High School. There is a severe problem regarding the lack of Spanish-speaking personnel and lack of services in the special ed resource room. There are many students not being classified because there is no staff to service them. More teacher assistants are needed for classrooms. A letter was sent to Ms. DeLuca about these matters. We are receiving more students with many learning problems. Class capacity is at maximum. One guidance counselor has more than 300 students. Period 1 attendance is still a problem.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Membership. Names of teachers who are not members were identified; membership forms are needed from them.

HEA Minutes December 16, 2002 page 3

Election. Michele Bates, a teacher assistant at the 5ive6ix school, was nominated as Faculty Council representative; Joseph Gyulay, high school teacher, was nominated as Faculty Council representative. Both were elected unanimously.

Social. There was no report.

Negotiations. The Negotiations Committee was to meet after the meeting in session. The Association is requesting a group 401(A) plan to save on taxes.

Legislative. There is a bill under consideration regarding sick-leave banks.

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

Teacher Education. There was no report.

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. There are concerns about teacher work load and inconsistency in programs and policies in the pre-K through 4 schools.

ANNOUNCEMENTS. There were no announcements.

ADJOURNMENT. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:36 p.m. on motion by Vida Story.

Respectfully submitted,

Valerie Gancarz

Recording Secretary