THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
October, 2015
Ms. Jacqui Greadington
EOEA President
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
SOLIDARITY:
Thanks for your support in wearing black and your pins on Solidarity Tuesdays. As you know the battle is not over, it has just begun in
earnest. Please pay attention to communications you receive through Constant Contact. It is our primary way of sending information to
members in a timely manner.
We demand respect from the East Orange Board of Education. Did you know that the EOBOE is establishing a practice of making its
employees wait for years before they will settle a contract? The EOEA has begun its second year without a new negotiated agreement.
Other East Orange locals, maintenance, TA’s, paraprofessionals, custodians, and secretaries have been able to settle a contract with the
board in three and four years. This is unacceptable as the cost of living is continually going up. It costs more to put gas in your car, heat
your home, send your child to college, and put food on the table. This is also compounded by the fact that more of our take home pay is
going towards health benefits and the Christie fiasco with our pensions.
I have met with the other East Orange local presidents. We are committed to standing together and supporting each other. It will take all of
us to force the board to negotiate in good faith and to achieve a fair and equitable settlement for our members.
SGO’S AND TEACHERS:
Building administrators received a memo from Dr. Harvest stating that the “administrator may ONLY use Renaissance to develop their
SGO’s.” It appears that in at least four schools, administrators have turned this around into “teachers may ONLY use Renaissance to
develop their SGO’s.” According to Dr. Harvest, the memo was a directive affecting ADMINISTRATORS ONLY and NOT TEACHERS.
According to Dr. Harvest, teachers may continue to use Renaissance as well as other measures to develop their SGO’s. Please contact the
EOEA if you need further clarification.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS:
During the LAST round of bargaining, the EOEA addressed the issue of receiving information about workshops and trainings they would
like to attend too late to follow the language that required a notice of 60 days and approval to attend a workshop/conference. EOEA was
able to gain the following language regarding the use of Professional Days: “Members utilizing personal days for the purpose of
professional development shall not have these days counted against their satisfactory attendance rating. Notification shall be given to the
board no less than 72 hours prior to the date of the conference/workshop. Proof of attendance shall be given either through proof of
registration or certificate of attendance.” This language puts professional development back into the teacher’s hands. You must give notice
a minimum of 72 hours in advance instead of 60 days. You must provide proof of registration or attendance.
Volume 13, Issue 2
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
October, 2015
EOEA HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY COMMITTEE (HSSC) By Keith Hinton II, Chairperson
The HSSC met on September 23rd and walked through Wahlstrom Elementary School. The results of the inspection are summarized
here. Several of the rooms were in need of replacement of light bulbs and stained/missing ceiling tiles. These issues were brought to the
attention of the maintenance department and during the follow- up on October 8th, most of the work was completed or a work order had been
put in... Some summer work was completed as well. Mr. Lambkin will send an update as soon as he can. Dr. Morgan is on Administrative
leave. No replacement has been named.
Reps, please inform your members to be mindful of what they dump in the toilets. We are having a serious issue with plumbing in some
schools. Campus received a high retaining wall. Two rooftop HVAC units were installed at Costley.
The good news is that small service issues can be taken care of by one person and do not require a team of service members. For
example, if a water fountain is not working in several schools, the one maintenance person will fix them within the week. This helps ensure
that timely responses to small issues occur in a timely fashion.
If you have any building concerns, ask your members to inform you and then tell the committee.
NEGOTIATIONS By Clarence Osborne, Chairperson
The EOEA Negotiations Team met for nearly three hours on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 to prepare for the first Mediation
session. That session has been scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th.
We have heard the EOEA membership loud and clear!!! Some of the priorities of the membership were (1) to move one step closer to
the top of the salary guide each year of the contract, (2) to add no more steps to the guide and (3) to achieve a fair and equitable salary increase.
The members of this Negotiations Team are committed to hold the line but we cannot do it alone. We need the nearly 1100 members of the
EOEA to commit to supporting the Team throughout this process.
Traditionally, mediators schedule a maximum of three (3) mediation sessions. The mediator’s goal is to achieve a settlement as
quickly as possible. They have no allegiance to either side. Therefore, the EOEA membership needs to impress upon the mediator the
importance of the issues outlined above. This simply means that as an EOEA member you do whatever is asked of you to support this process.
On behalf of the Negotiations Team I want to thank all EOEA members who attended the Rally at the September 15 th Board meeting.
It was an impressive show of unity and solidarity!
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
By Brian Rock, Chairperson
It’s October, and that means one thing… election season. It’s
likely that voter turnout this year in New Jersey will reach record
lows, given that the General Assembly is at the top of the ticket.
You might be tempted think that this election doesn’t matter and
that it’s a foregone conclusion. But it isn’t, and it does.
We can’t get everything we want in one fell swoop, but this
election is an opportunity to move the ball forward, picking up a
handful of Assembly seats and moving one step closer to our goal a friendly Legislature that can and will override a Governor’s
unfriendly veto.
Endorsements
The NJEA PAC Committee met over the summer and
endorsed 57 candidates for the Assembly. All of them voted in
favor of full pension funding last year or promised to do so if
elected. None of the legislators who voted against full pension
funding last year were endorsed. That was our #1 concern this
year, and we drew a clear line in the sand.
In Essex, we endorsed Sheila Oliver and Tom Giblin (LD 34),
Jasey and McKeon (LD 27), Tucker and Caputo (LD 28), and
Spencer and Pintor Marin (LD 29). The most competitive election
in our area is in Bergen, where we endorsed Joe Lagana and Tim
Eustace in LD 38. See the full list of endorsements on NJEA’s
website
Volume 13, Issue 2
In the primary season, the EOEA endorsed a slate of candidates
for City Council - Amy Lewis, Jackie Johnson, Quilla Talmadge,
Casim Gomez, and Mustafa Brent. We continue to stand by them in
the general election in November.
Finally, the big news out of DC this month is that the NEA
officially endorsed Hillary Clinton. More on this next month.
Election Organizing
We need help engaging members and getting them out to vote. In
the week leading up to Election Day, there will be numerous
opportunities to volunteer. Choose a day that works for you, and give a
few hours for the cause. We’ll be running a phone bank from the
EOEA Office on Monday, November 2. Check the NJEA website for a
current list of other activities planned in Essex or Bergen Counties.
When in doubt, e-mail me for more info.
Google Hangout on Politics
I am excited to be a part of NJEA’s latest Google Hangout on
November 2. We’ll be discussing why politics matters to members and
how they can get involved. Tune in and be a part of the conversation!
Details are available here.
NJEA Convention
If you're coming to the convention, stop by and see me at the
Government Relations booth Thursday morning. And for you early
career members, don't forget to RSVP for the networking event at
Haven on Thursday night!
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
October, 2015
GRIEVANCE REPORT By Priscilla Burke, Chairperson
Settlements/ Arbitrations
1. Two members whose transfers were blocked by their Administrators were transferred in a settlement of a Grievance. Member’s A and B
were held in their buildings after a transfer was granted for September 1st. Neither Administrator had found a suitable candidate for replacement
as late as September 29th. As a result of the settlement the members were transferred effective October 1 st and 5th. The position of the
Association was that if the Board granted the transfers the Administrators had to “in good faith” make an effort to replace them as soon as
possible. There were indications, the Association argued in one situation, that the member was being held for retaliatory reasons. The
Association asserted, the other was being held, because the Administrator did not want an excellent teacher gone. The settlement also included
some revisions to the transfer procedures. As soon as these procedures are approved we will inform you of the new policy changes to you.
2. The Association received a split decision on a long standing Arbitration/grievance involving movement across the guide, where a member
was denied movement based on courses not fitting into a specific category on a Board form. The Association filed a grievance. The
Association’s position was that the form was never negotiated with the EOEA and it was used arbitrarily. The decision has not been read in this
office but discussed with our Uniserv Rep. According to discussions with Uniserv that specific form should not be utilized in the future. I will
give more details when we have them.
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. (Scheduled at Level III)
2. A Grievance will be filed that an administrator did not have a post conference with several teachers after observations were done.
(EOCHS) Scheduled at Level III.
3. A complaint procedure violation grievance will be filed on behalf of a teacher because the receive memorandums immediately following a
complaint of a parent instead of having an opportunity to resolve the complaint informally. (Tyson Elementary) Scheduled at Level III
4. Grievances were filed on behalf of two members who have lost their increment. Hearings at Level II were held. No written response from the
Administrator. The grievances will be scheduled at Level III. (MBG)
5. 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. These students had IEP’s which clearly stated that they were
supposed to be in a regular setting, yet she was continuously questioned about what could be done if the students were experiencing difficulties
(with disregard of the IEP status). The Association grieved that the administrator was in violation of the Special Education Regulations, which
are very clear and unambiguous about following the student’s IEP. The member began to experience difficulties after refusing to address
anything other than what was allowable under federal law. She subsequently was transferred. A Grievance was filed that memoranda of a
derogatory nature be removed from the teacher’s file. It has been moved to Level III. (Bowser).
6. A hearing was held at Level III regarding the concerns of a teacher that the reflections on his Evaluation did not truly reflect his performance.
There were also indicators of his performance that were either not true or without evidence. The lengthy Hearing was suspended to allow for
more time to present the member’s position. It is still pending. (EOCHS)
7. A grievance was filed by the Association regarding Staff Meetings at EOCHS. The Associations believes that a longstanding (practice)
between the EOEA and the EOBOE was being violated.
SOLIDARITY!!!!!!!!!
P.R.I.D.E. By Ericka Currie, Chairperson
One of the most important aspects of PRIDE projects is the
recognition and publicity they produce. The more a community knows
about how good their schools are, the more likely they are to get
involved and offer support.
We look forward to a successful year of events and thank you in
advance for your active participation.
OctoberNational Bullying Prevention Month
16
23-30
Boss's Day
Red Ribbon Week
Theme: “Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free.”
November
3
5-6
Election Day
NJEA Teachers Convention
ECEA Hospitality Suite 11:00am-1:00pm
Sheraton
Volume 13, Issue 2
SOCIAL By Jennifer Longo, Chairperson
The Social Committee is thankful for your support at our last
two social events: September 24, the new teacher luncheon and
at Happy Hour on Friday October 2 at McLoones Boathouse.
New this year-November 5, 2015 –November 6, 2015
NJEA Convention After Dark helps you unwind and enjoy what
Atlantic City has to offer.
THURSDAY NIGHT-Wavelength at 8:30 p.m. Atlantic City
Convention Center Hall A
Early-Career Networking from 6 – 9 p.m. Haven at the
Golden Nugget
The Nerds from 9 p.m. – midnight Playground Pier on the
Boardwalk (formerly the Pier Shops at Caesars)
EVERY NIGHT at 8 p.m. Dante Hall Theater of the Arts 14 N.
Mississippi Ave
T STREET at the Playground
For more information visit NJEA.org
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
October, 2015
INSTRUCTION & TRAINING By Stephen Laird, Chairperson
Greetings colleagues! We should all be settled into our classrooms by now and ready to face all the challenges of the coming months. The
Instruction and Training Committee is there to help you to get the training and resources you need to ensure you have a successful year.
SGO’s:
As you already know, October is SGO month; do you have a vision for your proposed SGO’s? The due date for your SGO’s is
October 30th. The best professional training comes from your colleagues; so, I implore you to turn to them for assistance and for any
questions you might have when creating them. You can also find resources to assist you at the Achieve NJ website. For those teachers who
teach non-tested subjects, remember, this year your overall evaluation number is derived from 80% Danielson, and 20% SGO. Take control!
There is an ECEA Achieve NJ Domain 4, Professional Responsibilities workshop on November 17 at 4:30 pm, at the Appian Way,
I encourage you to sign up early. This domain seems to be generating a lot of “memos” so far this year.
Please refer to your ECEA calendar directory for all other upcoming workshops.
MEMBERSHIP By Holly M. Allen, Chairperson
I would like to clarify, that although 60 new teachers
joined the association during the new teacher’s orientation in
August, a total of 79 new teachers joined the EOEA in 2015 thus
far. The additional members were hired earlier in the year or
submitted applications after the new member’s orientation.
Please note that an Automatic Payroll Deduction (APD)
membership dues termination form must be completed and
submitted to the payroll office if you have obtained another
position and need to stop APD. Although local dues deductions
will be terminated, APD termination for county, state, and national
dues can only go into effect on January 1st or July 1st (dependent
upon your submission of the APD termination form). For your
convenience, I will supply your school’s union representatives
with the necessary forms.
If you have not received your membership card, you can
download it online at www.njea.org, or you can use a copy of your
membership application to attend the NJEA Convention on
November 5th-6th 2015. You can access your account by typing in
your email address or pin (which is located on your membership
card above the date) and your password is the last four digits of
your social security number. Once you are logged in, please make
sure that all of your contact information is correct. Please let me
know if you need assistance, or if you would like for me to update
your account for you.
FAST By Carla Hinds, Chairperson
The FAST committee has not yet met. However, a grant
for the school year has been submitted and will hopefully be
approved shortly. Included in the proposal are our staple events:
Book Clubs, Grandparents’ Day, and the Keepers of the Dream
Banquet. There are also several new activities.
On Thursday, I attended the FAST Coordinators’ meeting
at NJEA under the leadership of Janet Morrison, Associate
Director of Families and Schools. The order of the day was a
power point presentation on the status of public schools,
vouchers, and charters. It was presented by Dr. Walter Farrell
who serves as an acknowledged expert on public schools and
where we stand across the nation. As always, his presentation
was excellent, but, continues to serve as a warning to all
advocates for public education. Without advocacy from all
levels, including parents, we could be looking at its demise.
SAVE the DATE:
On October 24th, NJEA has gathered local affiliates in East
Orange and experts to offer an opportunity to hear about the
“School to Prison Pipeline” and how it impacts our schools and
communities. Parents, educators and stakeholders are invited to
attend. Light breakfast and lunch will be served. It will be held
at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, East Orange. A flier will be coming
out shortly.
Monthly Membership Benefit Highlights-
NEA members may earn PD hours by taking up to
10 e-Learning courses for free at www.njea.org. Also, our
members may take advantage of the following benefits:
Discounted ticket offerings to select events at the Prudential
Center, IZOD Center, and the Sun Center (Mercer County).
Discount varies by event.
This is the contact number for NJEA Member Benefits
(609) 599-4561 ext. 2222.
Visit our website: www.eoeamembers.com
Volume 13, Issue 2
The EOEA INFORMER is the official publication of the
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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