THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
June, 2016
Ms. Jacqui Greadington
EOEA President
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
WHAT A YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!
This has been a long and tedious year for EOEA members. Not only have we faced the everyday challenges of meeting the needs of
students, we have done so without the assurance of a fair and equitable contract settlement. This struggle is unprecedented in that we have
been without a new agreement for two entire years.
We have rallied each and every Board meeting, negotiations and mediator/fact finding session. We have marched on City Hall. We have
addressed the City Council members. We have placed ads in newspapers and radio. We have picketed at our school buildings. We have
participated in Solidarity Tuesdays.
We have received support from prominent Essex County legislators, the NJ State Senate, EOEA Retirees, Jersey City Education
Association, Montclair Education Association, Bloomfield Education Association and Belleville Education Association.
Many of you may not believe that your efforts have made a difference. I want to tell you that they have. Progress was made during our last
meeting on June 6th. It is my belief that this would not have happened had we not continued to stand together and to stand strong. We have
shown the Board that we are united. Thank you for your continued advocacy and support.
EVALUATIONS WARNING:
Please contact the EOEA office immediately if:

Your evaluator did not adhere to the prescribed evaluation timelines and you received a less than effective summative evaluation.

You have questions about your ratings in Domain 4.

Bereavement days have been charged against your attendance.
COMMUNICATIONS:
We have initiated a text messaging service to keep you informed about the issues that pertain and matter to us. You may sign up 2 ways:
1) go to http://eastorangeea.org/ and register by submitting you name and mobile number OR 2) on your mobile device, text “eoea” to 973273-4096.
SUMMER HOURS:
The office will be open each Wednesday from 12:00 – 4:00 PM. The phones will be monitored daily.
NEGOTIATIONS:
Yes, this has been a tough year. Please know that the Negotiations Team is committed to meeting through the summer if necessary to settle
the contract. Get connected today so that we may keep you informed of all developments.
EOEA Members, you are second to none!!!! Best wishes for a well-deserved safe and restful summer!!!
Volume 13, Issue 10
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
June, 2016
EOEA HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE (HSSC) By Keith Hinton II, Chairperson
The HSSC met on June 9, 2016. Prior to the meeting, the team did a follow up walkthrough of Jackson Academy Elementary School.
Work has been either completed or in progress. Water lead results are in and a copy is at the EOEA office for review. All levels were below
the Action Level! Summer repair lists by the maintenance department are also at the EOEA for review. The HSSC met and discussed future
school visits and tentative dates for the 2016- 2017 school year. The schools are as follows:

September 14, 2016- Bowser

October 12, 2016 – Bowser follow up

November 16, 2016 – Healy

December 14, 2016 – Healy follow up

January 11, 2017 – Carver

February 8, 2017 – Carver follow up

March 8, 2017 – Fresh Start (Edmonson Center)

April 12, 2017 - Fresh Start (Edmonson Center) follow up

May 10, 2017 – EOCHS C wing

June 14, 2017 – EOCHS C wing follow up

I hope all of you have a safe, fun, restful summer. I really enjoyed my first year as HSSC chair and can’t wait to work with you next year!!!
NEGOTIATIONS By Clarence Osborne, Chairperson
As you probably know the EOEA and the Board met for a Fact Finding session on Monday, June 6, 2016. Mr. Richard Gwin, was assigned
to us by the Public Employee Relations Commission (PERC) to be our official Fact Finder. Outstanding issues included Longevity, Chapter
78 Employee Contributions, Salary Increases, Prescription Co-Pays and the Hourly Rate. After three (3) hours of talks the two sides were
still unable to come to an agreement, although some progress was made.
EOEA members’ support at the demonstrations surely got the Board’s attention. So much so that the meeting rooms were switched as the
overwhelming chants of EOEA members disrupted the Board’s pre-meeting session. In addition to EOEA members joining in “the walk” in
front of the Board office, we were also joined by EOEA Retirees, NJEA members from Bloomfield, Belleville, Jersey City and Montclair.
On behalf of the Negotiations Team, I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support. Continue to stay involved and informed during
these last few weeks of the school year.
Have a Happy, Healthy and Restful summer vacation!!!!
INSTRUCTION & TRAINING
By Stephen Laird, Chairperson
P.R.I.D.E.
By Ericka Currie, Chairperson
Greetings colleagues!
EOEA PRIDE in Public Education Awards Ceremony
Just a reminder- please wrap up your PDP with any extra hours you
might need by visiting the NJEA website for professional development
that concurs with what is stated on your plan. Adjust your plan if you
need to!
The Pride Award Ceremony was a success. One of the program
highlights was our STEM high school students reading their
essays entitled: My Most Memorable Moment in School. The
great voices of STEM sang “Lift Every Voice”. The voices of
the students from Cicely Tyson Middle School, Jackson
Academy, and a former Jackson Academy student, who is
currently a college freshman, were also part of the entertainment.
Overall the program was enjoyable for all.
A very important development has come to the attention of the EOEA in
regards to ineffective observations, especially the 3rd observation, being
handed out AFTER the district and union-mandated deadline. This
observation CANNOT BE INEFFECTIVE if the administration did not
meet the contractually agreed upon timeline. Please come from out of the
shadows and bring this to the attention of the EOEA immediately; stand
up for yourself, your certification may depend on it!
Have a wonderful summer and keep your fingers crossed for a new
contract in September!
Volume 13, Issue 10
Thanks PRIDE and EOEA members for supporting our PRIDE
events and activities. It was challenging, but most of all
rewarding.
Have a Super Duper summer.
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
June, 2016
GRIEVANCE REPORT By Priscilla Burke, Chairperson
Present Grievances
1. A grievance will be filed on behalf of a teacher who was recommended for appointment to an extracurricular activity and was
removed in response to an unfounded complaint. It has moved to arbitration.
2. Grievances were filed on behalf of two members who have lost their increment. Hearings at Level III were held for one member, we
are awaiting the results of that hearing. There is still another hearing to be had for another member. (MBG).
3. A hearing was held on behalf of a member who has complained that her administrator was continuously implying that certain
students, who were inclusion or may need to be in inclusion, be looked at and addressed. There was also a concern that the Teacher’s
Assistant was not available for servicing students that they were being utilized for other tasks in the building. The hearing was held;
the grievance was not sustained although there was a notation that the issue with the TA was a valid issue. It was moved to Level IV.
4. There are some concerns regarding the evaluation process/forms and indicators. Several members are grieving that their observations
are not based on evidence but on opinion and misinformation. In these situations, teachers are saying: they were not given post
observations, they have not had an opportunity to present their evidence that indicators are inaccurate, administrative directives have
been given which do not allow them the opportunity to be effective, and that the evaluation process is being utilized in retaliation.
Grievances are being filed for the schools listed below and there may be more to come:
a. Langston Hughes-A hearing was scheduled; however, it was cancelled due to administrative absence. It was moved to Level III.
b. Tyson Elementary-A hearing was held. The response to this grievance was not acceptable so it will move to Level IV.
c. Banneker-A grievance was filed at Level II for a procedural complaint (Commissioner)
5. An instructional coach is grieving that her evaluator of record refused to discuss her concerns and review her evidence in a post
observation. The observation was closed in Teachscape before she had the opportunity to complete her discussion and present the data
that would support her claims. She also believes that her insistence on writing rebuttals has led to the creation of a hostile working
environment. The grievance was denied; we will be moving it to Level IV/Commissioner.
6. The Association is investigating that an administrator may have written an unfair observation for an Association Representative
because he refused to give her information about the concerns of staff. The Association is moving forward to file an ULP (Unfair
Labor Practice) against this administrator.
7. The Association is filing a grievance on behalf of a teacher who received an additional group of students of a teacher out on leave.
The teacher’s request for compensation has been denied. The Association believes she is entitled to the compensation under the
Article for combined class coverage.
Thanks to all of you for support--------SOLIDARITY!!!!!!!!!
Have a Great Summer!!
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS By Brian Rock, Chairperson
Pension Amendment
The constitutional amendment on pensions continues to make progress in the legislature. On June 6, the Assembly judiciary committee
voted on party lines (5-2) to approve ACR-109. Your NJEA leadership was there to testify in favor of the bill. Next, the resolution must
have a public hearing and, after a 20 day waiting period, a full vote in the Assembly followed by a full vote in the Senate. This is expected to
happen by the end of the June, and at that point, the question will officially be on the ballot in November.
The Pension Organizing Plan
It is imperative that we turn out enough votes to pass the question in November, and NJEA is rolling out a multiphased plan to ensure that
happens. First, all members are being asked to sign a pledge card, committing to vote “Yes” in the fall. Next, NJEA will be employing
members as Organizing Fellows to conduct a full-fledged field campaign over the summer, contacting and mobilizing members. This will be
followed by a second Organizing Fellowship in the fall, conducted by retirees. Finally, in the weeks leading up to Election Day, NJEA and
other unions will run a paid media campaign in support of the question.
What Can You Do?
See your building rep to fill out a pledge card, or go directly to VoteNJPension.org and sign the pledge. Then, talk to your colleagues,
friends, and family to make sure they're prepared to vote “Yes” as well. If we work hard from now to November, this fight is winnable… but
victory won't happen all by itself.
Volume 13, Issue 10
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
June, 2016
FAST By Carla Hinds, Chairperson
MEMBERSHIP By Holly M. Allen, Chairperson
The committee would like to thank all
building representatives and others who supported Pride Night this
year. The parents were happy. You can trust that those who were
unable to attend will receive their plaques as well. Please make
sure that when selecting students and parents that you make it clear
that the students and parents are two different awards and not
necessarily does the parent award go to the student recipient’s
parent. This issue could be avoided if invitations are given to the
student and parent. Both the parents and students should be told
even before the invitation is given, as well as, given the date and
location of the event. Thanks for all you do to further the cause of
community, schools and families.
We are now preparing for next year. If you were not able to
attend the planning meeting, make sure I have your events, if they
are for parents and community, before the end of the school year.
Proposals must include a brief description of the activity, costs,
type of meal selected, any other expenditures, and the number of
people expected to attend.
Greetings Members,
I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer break! Prior to
the start of the 2016-2017 school year, you can verify that your
contact information is current by visiting the NJEA website at
www.njea.org. Just simply type in your email address as your
username and enter your password. Your password is the last four
digits of your social security number. Once you have logged in, click
on “My Profile” to view and/or edit your personal account. Confirm
that your address, name, building assignment, and/or email address
is correct.
All activities must meet the following criteria:

Only Parent or Community focus events

All correspondences relative to the event must include
the full name of the association and FAST

Food Prices per person cannot exceed: Breakfast $8,
Lunch $10, Dinner $20 per person

Food items must be approved by the FAST committee
before they are ordered

You must use the EOEA sign-in sheet for events

You must include an invitation to the EOEA president

You must acknowledge on the program the full name of
the association and FAST and acknowledge association at the
event

Where possible, pictures should be taken and turned in
with all original receipts, copy of program, flyers etc., and
sign-in sheets.
Let me thank Stem Academy and both Book club
coordinators for your work this year. Thank you Pedro and Anna,
you rock! Thanks to the FAST committee, Executive Board, and
building reps for your support during the year and always.
Please take the opportunity to have some fun and
relaxation during the summer. I trust that all will be well and
you’ll come back refreshed and rejuvenated. Have a wonderful
summer!
MEMBER BENEFITS
In addition, to learn more about our member benefits, please go
to the member benefits section of the website. Do you want to obtain
professional development hours over the summer break? Are you
interested in retailer benefits? Do you need legal services? Are you
searching for a grant for a special class or school project for next
year? Well, the association is here to help! Please explore the
website to take advantage of the value of your membership.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Follow @NJEA on Twitter and Instagram, subscribe to NJEA’s
YouTube channel, and like NJEA on Facebook.
GET MOBILE UPDATES
From your cell phone, text UNITY to 738674 and receive as-theyhappen updates from NJEA.
MEMBER-TO-MEMBER MESSAGE BOARD
The NJEA Message Board is a place where NJEA members are free
to share information and exchange ideas.
IT'S ABOUT NJ'S KIDS & FAMILIES, TOO!
NJ Kids and Families offer ways for everyone in New Jersey to take
action and stay informed

Go to www.njkidsandfamilies.org to sign a petition,

Follow @NJKidsFamilies on Twitter and YouTube and

Become a fan on Facebook.
Join this powerful statewide network now!
PUBLICATIONS
Be sure to read the electronic NJEA Briefings, your NJEA Review,
and all call-to-action NJEA emails.
SOCIAL By Jennifer Longo, Chairperson
The EOEA INFORMER is the official publication of the
The EOEA held its annual retirement dinner on Thursday June
2, 2016 at the Hanover Manor. It was a great success. We would
like to wish the best of health and happiness to all the retirees.
Our last HAPPY HOUR for the 2015-16 school year was held
on Friday June 10, 2016 at THE BAR, 203 Bloomfield Ave,
Bloomfield, NJ. A good time was had by all!
The committee would like to wish all the EOEA members a
well deserved and restful summer! See you in September!
Visit our website: www.eoeamembers.com
Volume 13, Issue 10
East Orange Education Association
576 Central Avenue, East Orange, NJ 07018
Phone # 973-672-7331
Fax # 973-672-1194
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.eoeamembers.com
Ms. Jacqueline Greadington, President
Mr. Brian Rock, Vice President
Ms. Patricia Landon, Treasurer
Ms. Dawn Nichol, Secretary
Ms. Joyce McCree, Editor
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