Colleagues,
1) State votes to restore Newark to Local Control! This week, we get to celebrate a historic moment 22 years in the making! The State Board of Education heard a motion to return Newark to local control, and this motion passed unanimously! We have all worked very hard to get this victory, and we all deserve to take a moment to celebrate.
That said, this doesn't mean the struggle is over! This transition will not happen over night. From here on out, it is a legislative process. We have already communicated with the Newark Board of Education our congratulations and our request to be involved with all plans and committees established during the transition. We still need to remain vigilant. We will be monitoring the transition closely and doing everything in our power to expedite their exit.
2) SAVE THE DATES! With the transition back to local control, it is vital that NTU has a strong presence at the upcoming NPS BOARD OF EDUCATION Meetings. This fight is far from over!
· September 19 – NPS Business Meeting. 2 Cedar Street, 5:30 PM
· September 26 – NPS Board of Education Meeting – University High School, 6:00 PM
If you would like to sign up to speak at the Sept 26 meeting, please go to:
http://www.nps.k12.nj.us/advisory-board/meetings/speaking-request/
3) DACA- Thousands of DACA-mented teachers are at risk of losing their jobs with Trump's repeal. Congress must act quickly to protect DACA-mented members of our union and our communities. Please call your representatives and tell them to support the bipartisan Dream Act of 2017.
Sign the petition at http://aft.to/DreamAct
4) Hurricane Harvey - When Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey, AFT immediately reached out and activated the disaster fund to help offset expenses for members who lost homes, cars and valuables. As Hurricane Harvey continues to wreak havoc on families across Texas, AFT’s disaster fund will be there again, helping members rebuild and get on with their lives. AFT cannot do it alone, they need our help.
Please make a tax-deductible donation to the AFT Disaster Relief Fund.
AFT Texas also set up a page to accept donation to provide direct relief to affected members.
5) Student Debt Survey – Several of our members have reached out to us about their Student Debt. On our website, we posted information about Student Debt Forgiveness.
In addition, the Newark Teachers Union works closely with NJ Citizen Action on a variety of issues. They are currently doing a Student Debt Survey. We recommend filling it out.
For more information, contact Beverly Brown Ruggia, NJCA’s Financial Justice Organizer, at 973-643-8800 ext.239 and beverly@njcitizenaction.org
In Solidarity,
| John M. Abeigon President & Director of Organization Newark Teachers Union Local 481 AFT, AFL-CIO | Mike Maillaro Director of Research & Communication Newark Teachers Union Local 481 AFT, AFL-CIO | Michael R. Iovino Newark Teachers Union Local 481 AFT, AFL-CIO |