Twenty-two years of state takeover of the Newark Public Schools came to an end on February 1, 2018. Books have been written on the subject and no doubt more will be written in the future. Hundreds of newspaper articles and opinion pieces have been published regarding the infamous $100 million Facebook donation. Most of that donation went to settle labor contracts (two years in arears, mind you), but the balance was consumed by so-called education reform groups and consultants.

No expense was too great to present to the state taxpayers the appearance of a graceful exit. Over the past two months

Check out this great piece on Janus on NJ.Com

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Colleagues,

1. 
   Membership meeting: On Wednesday, February 28 starting at 4 PM, we will be holding an NTU Membership meeting at Oliver Street School.  On the agenda for this meeting we will discuss:

• Contract Reopener for School Year 2018-2019
• Observations and Evaluations
• NTU Recommitment Campaign (What is Janus and how can we best prepare for Janus’s impact?)
• Building Rep Reorganizing
• Local Control – Next Steps

The Union is the Voice of its members, let us hear from you!!

BREAKING NEWS!  INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT GREGORY WILL BE JOINING US ON WEDNESDAY TO ADDRESS THE

Click to view this update in a PDF

Colleagues,

1. 
   Membership meeting: On Wednesday, February 28 starting at 4 PM, we will be holding at NTU Membership meeting at Oliver Street School.  On the agenda for this meeting we will discuss:

• Contract Reopener for School Year 2018-2019
• Observations and Evaluations
• NTU Recommitment Campaign (What is Janus and how can we best prepare for Janus’s impact)
• Building Rep Reorganizing
• Local Control – Next Steps

The Union is the Voice of its members, let us hear from you!!

-----------------------------------------

2. 
   Flu Concerns: We have heard concerns from our members about

The American Federation of Teachers held their Northeast Regional Meeting at the Hilton Newark on February 10 and 11. NTU President John M Abeigon was a speaker along with State Fed President Donna Chiera and AFT President Randi Weingarten. Among the topics discussed were union building and obstacles to organizing. It was an informative conference that we believe will help make the NTU and AFT stronger.

Colleagues,

1) Emancipation Celebration – After 22 years of state control, Newark Public Schools were finally emancipated on Feb 1, 2018.  TODAY!!  Friday, February 9, there will be a celebration at Newark Symphony Hall at 4 PM to mark this tremendous occasion!  All NTU members and allies are invited!

2) February Increment – One question we get a lot is "What is a February Increment?"   Under NJ law, generally staff salary increases only happen twice a year, in September and in February. 

When you get your increment is based on your hire date.   If you were hired between March 1 and October 15