Colleagues,

1)           Quasi-Administrators – In many schools, we have been getting reports that staff, including NTU members, are being asked to serve as quasi-administrators.   It is vital to remember that ONLY administrators should be doing observations and evaluations. 

Not only is this illegal, it is just another example of the district trying to break unions.  They laid off many administrators, including department chairs, and now they are trying to use other staff to fill those vital roles. 

All coaching and “adult support” positions are intended to help provide feedback, not to serve as

Rx UPDATE 1/20...As you may be aware, the Newark Public Schools has attempted to unilaterally change the prescription benefits provider for the Supplemental Fringe Benefits Fund from GPP to Benecard effective February 1, 2016. As a result, the Union and the Union Trustees for the SFB have filed a lawsuit against the Newark Public Schools and the NPS Trustees for the SFB Fund seeking to, among other things, restrain them from imposing this change in prescription benefits providers on the Union and its members. The Union and the Union Trustees for the SFB Fund firmly believe that the NPS has

Colleagues,

I’ve gotten some questions about Mid-Year Evaluations, so I am resending this info we’ve sent out in the past

1) Mid-Year Evaluations - As per state law and district policy, only teachers on Corrective Action Plans are required to have Mid-Year Evaluations done.   These Mid-Year Evaluations should be done:

·       Before February 15 (if CAP in place before September 15), or

·       Before summative conference (if CAP in place after September 15).”

Even though Mid-Years are ONLY required for CAP teachers, they may be done on all teachers.  The district recommends, “The mid-year review

Colleagues,

1)      Contract Update: On Monday, the members of the NTU Negotiation Committee met and reviewed the contract surveys we have gotten.  We are starting to boil everything down to a list of several demands.  We have not yet formally met with the district to begin negotiations formally, but we will continue to keep you updated.  IF YOU HAVE NOT FILLED OUT THE CONTRACT SURVEY YET, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY!

2)     Stipend Update: NPS has confirmed that staff will be getting their salary and EWA stipends on January 29.   NPS has also informed us that the waiver money for staff who waived

We received two more huge tenure victories!

Ratiba Ahmed

Michael Wilson

The US Department of Labor recently posted this document about FMLA rights.  Please keep this valueable resource handy for any and all questions regarding your federally protected FMLA rights.