Colleagues,

1)  LIFO Lawsuit - Earlier this week, the Newark Teachers Union, AFT New Jersey and the American Federation of Teachers filed a motion seeking to intervene in a complaint filed by the Partnership for Educational Justice challenging New Jersey’s law that aims to protect experienced teachers.  This lawsuit has been the latest in a series of corporate-led attacks around the nation on tenure protections.  There is a distinct conflict of interest for the Newark Public Schools since the defendant in the case has spoken out in favor of the plaintiffs’ position on numerous occasions.

“Newark

Colleagues,

1)    NJEA Convention – We have been getting a few questions about cost, child care, etc for the NJEA Convention.  You should be able to get answers to any questions at NJEA’s convention website - http://njeaconvention.org/general-information/.  If you need a notification form for your principal or info on how to get Professional Improvement Fund money to attend, visit our website: http://newark.nj.aft.org/news/njea-convention. 

2)    Retirement – If you are considering retiring, it is vital that you speak to the NTU Retiree Chapter.  Too often, we find out later that people are

Colleagues,

You have all heard the saying, when one door opens, another one closes.  Well the NTU doesn’t accept that willingly. When one door opens and another one closes we stick our foot in the door jam and demand to know what’s going on in there. 

The open door:  The acting Commissioner of Education Kimberley Harrington has declined to exercise her discretion to allow a Petition for Declaratory Ruling on Larisa Shambaugh’s removal from her position as Chief Talent Officer.  As per our alternate request, the case will proceed on Appeal.  This comes as no surprise, since this is how the

Colleagues,

 1)      Respect the Contract – Negotiations continue between NTU and NPS regarding our contract.  Things have been progressing well in many areas, though the process continues to be slow. Our next negotiations session is scheduled for next Thursday.  Hopefully, we will have some news to report out after that session.  Until then, continue to RESPECT THE CONTRACT!  Nothing more, nothing less! 

2)      NJEA Convention – We have been getting a few questions about cost, child care, etc for the NJEA Convention.  You should be able to get answers to any questions at NJEA’s convention

Colleagues:

Next Wednesday, the Newark Teachers Union will be hosting an emergency meeting for our Child Study Team members to discuss pertinent information that will impact all of us. 

EMERGENCY CHILD STUDY TEAM MEETING

Wednesday, November 2, 2016 

4:00PM – 5:30PM

1^st Floor Conference Room

Newark Teachers Union

1019 Broad Street

Newark, NJ 07102

(Parking is available behind the building on Beecher Street)

In Solidarity, 

Colleagues,

Why I am so adamant about School Improvement Panel’s,  TeachNJ and the Peer Oversight Committee?  See the attached tenure case we recently won.  This Decision is scathing on so many levels, that while I generally do not assign required reading, I feel compelled to do so in this case for the sake of teachers as well as students.

This is a case where the district committed every possible disservice they could against the teacher and the students of these schools!  From the Decision, “As for the School Improvement Panel, I note the District either did not have such a panel or, while one