NTU Update - September 16, 2016

Colleagues,

1) Respect the Contract – Yesterday, President Abeigon sent out a notice to all school staff about upcoming “contract actions.”   Please review that email.  More information will be coming after Monday’s Building Rep Meeting.

2) Election Day - We have been receiving numerous calls regarding this coming presidential election day, Tuesday, Nov 8th. Here is the law regarding that day:

NJSA 18A:25-3. Teaching etc., on holidays not required
No teaching staff member shall be required to perform his duties on any day declared by law to be a public holiday and no deduction shall be made from such member's salary by reason of the fact that such a public holiday happens to be a school day and any term of any contract made with any such member which is in violation of this section shall be void.

In other words, you are free to take off that day. You need not use a sick/personal day. It will be for the NPS to determine how to Kronos the absence.

We do suggest that if able, please do the professional courtesy of advising your administrator 48 hrs prior, so they can acquire coverage.

3) New Tuition Reimbursement Form -  The members of the NTU Professional Improvement Fund and Tuition Reimbursement Committee has updated the forms and procedures for tuition reimbursement for NTU members.  Please use the attached form!!

4) NTU Website – Reminder!  Our website is http://newark.nj.aft.org.  Our old website has been inactive for close to a year. 

5) Political Action- Please call or email your legislators ASAP and throw your support behind Senate & Assembly bills S2372 & A3929 that establishes State School Aid Funding Fairness Commission.   These bills would increase funding for Newark by $90M.  Help us avoid future layoffs that will occur under Christie’s $6,900 per pupil state aid proposal.  Find your legislator here  http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/legsearch.asp  and help us thwart the Governors ill-fated proposal.

6)  Back to School Resources – On our website, we have several resources for Back to School.  Check them out!  Also, our Education Resource Center is open Monday – Thursday to help you with Bulletin Boards and other vital needs!

7) Upcoming Newark Board Meetings

NPS Business Meeting

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 - 5:30 PM        

Newark Public Schools

10th Floor Conference Room, 1010

2 Cedar Street

Newark, NJ 07102

NPS Advisory Board Meeting

Tuesday, September 27, 2016 - 6:00 PM        

Elliott Street School

721 Summer Avenue

Newark, NJ 07104

In Solidarity,