BERGEN COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
210 WEST ENGLEWOOD AVENUE
TEANECK, NEW JERSEY 07666
MINUTES OF BCEA COUNCIL MEETING
May 12, 2010
Executive Committee members present at the meeting:Bischak, Brady, Bulger, Celentano, Cobb, Coppola, Feinstein, Frangiosa, Goldman, Helff, Luthin, Manning, McBride, Otis, Papaleo, Policastro, Sheppard, Snyder, Walsh, Wulster
Presidents or representatives present from: Becton, Demarest, East Rutherford, Hasbrouck Heights, Haworth, Little Ferry, Norwood, Oakland, Ramsey, Saddle River, Waldwick, Wood-Ridge
Executive Committee members present from (districts not listed above): BCC, Bergenfield, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Franklin Lakes, Glen Rock, Hackensack, Leonia, Maywood, Northern Highlands, Tenafly, Teaneck
Other: UniServ
The Council meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. by Joseph Coppola, Jr., President. The minutes of the March 17, 2010 meeting were accepted.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Joseph Coppola, Jr.
A written report was submitted. Mr. Coppola asked for a motion to change the order of business. Mr. Peter Helff
made the motion, Mr. Fred Frangiosa 2nd, so moved.
Mr. Coppola announced that Mr. Rich Romains, a candidate for BCEA President, will be heard regarding his election concerns. Mr. Coppola then left the room.
The hearing was conducted by Ms. Marion Luthin, Co-chair Elections Committee. Relevant information was handed out to Council members. Ms. Luthin asked members
to read over the information. Ms. Luthin then called Mr. Rich Romains to the podium and he explained his concerns. Mr. Romains then took questions. Mr. Brady then
asked Mr. Romains to leave the room. Mr. Brady thanked Ms. Luthin for conducting the hearing. Mr. Bill Cobb made a motion to move the vote to get the results of
the ballots, the votes should be counted in Trenton, and there should be no freeze on the Bergen County votes. Mr. Peter Helff, 2nd. Discussion followed. Mr. Bill
Brady called for a vote. A vote of “yes” would mean to move the ballots forward, a “no” vote would mean to freeze the process. A vote was taken, and it was
unanimously moved, with one abstention. Mr. Coppola and Mr. Romains were asked to return to the room. Mr. Coppola asked for a motion to return to the regular order
of business. Ms. Carol Otis made the motion, Mr. Fred Frangiosa 2nd, so moved.
Mr. Coppola then asked Ms. Janet Bischak, Co-Chair Constitution Committee, to present the constitution. Ms. Bischak noted this is the second reading of the
initiative to bring the constitution up to affiliate standards. Ms. Bischak noted members have a copy of the constitution; she went on to explain the new language.
Mr. Coppola asked for a motion to accept the update to the constitution. Mr. Fred Frangiosa made a motion to move, Mr. Bill Cobb, 2nd. A vote was taken to approve
the revised constitution, unanimously moved.
Mr. Coppola announced that Ms. Leslie VanSlooten, from Northern Valley Regional High School, has been chosen as Bergen County Teacher of the Year. He also
reminded members to take the handouts that are on the distribution table. Mr. Coppola discussed The Race to the Top and the Governor’s toolkit at length.
1st VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT - Bill Brady
A written report was submitted. Mr. Brady reported the Annual Legislative Dinner and Conference was held on March 24th at the Venetian in Garfield and was a very successful event. He reported the Leadership Conference Weekend at Minerals Hotel at Crystal Springs Resort on April 30 through May 2 was a shared conference with Passaic County. It was a wonderful weekend with very good topics. Mr. Brady announced there will be an emergency LAT meeting on June 7th at 4:00 PM at the BCEA office. He reported the PAC Screening Committee will hold screenings on June 14, 15, and 17. Candidates have been asked to save the date. Mr. Brady has sent in the delegate’s names for the TPA&F Convention which will be held on Saturday, October 23 at the Holiday Inn in East Windsor, NJ.
2nd VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Rina Goldman
A written report was submitted. Ms. Goldman announced there is a flyer on the distribution table for the Teacher Expo. It will be held on August 11 in Wayne, NJ. She reported the dinner workshop that was held on May 6 was very successful; the topic was the future workforce. If anyone has any ideas for future workshops, please let her know; the IPD Committee will be meeting on May 24 and new ideas or suggestions are welcomed. The final edition of the Reporter will be sent out before the end of the school year. Ms. Goldman is always looking for articles for the Reporter.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Jenn Celentano
A written report was submitted. Ms. Celentano announced the maximum amount the dues might be increased will be $4.00 for Active Professional and $2.00 for Active Support per year. That is the maximum they can be raised and they will be announced at the June 9th meeting. The Budget Committee will meet on May 27 to discuss the budget further. She reported lately the focus on actions has been in terms of fighting Christi’s onslaught. She reported the ESP Pension Workshop on April 22 was very successful.
NJEA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – Joseph Coppola, Jr., Janet Bischak
A written report was submitted. Ms. Bischak reported the election of NEA Directors elected for a three year term: Earl Kights, Michael Kruczek and Lois Yukna. She reported Hipp Board of Trustees approval of Hipp Grant Recommendations. Ms. Bischak discussed the rally that will be held on May 22. The next meeting will be on May 14.
BC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD – Bill Brady
Mr. Brady reported the board met twice. The board has gone through 66 of the 80 plans. Only ten of the 66 plans needed revisions. Thirteen districts still have not submitted their plans.
NJ PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS BOARD – Joseph Coppola, Jr
Mr. Coppola reported on the state level the commissioner has only been in office approximately two months and he has not yet dealt with his staffing. Therefore, things are moving along very slowly. They have not yet formalized their multi-year plans.
NJEA LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE – Donna Lee Sheppard
Ms. Sheppard reported the committee met and finalized plans for Leadership. She asks that you get in your applications for Leadership as soon as possible.
NJEA ESP COMMITTEE – Donna Lee Sheppard
Ms. Sheppard reported the ESP Conference was snowed out and will be rescheduled for June 3-5. They have 500 members attending the dinner on Friday night.
NJEA WORKING CONDITIONS COMMITTEE – Marion Luthin
Ms. Luthin reported the committee will bring two recommendations to the next DA meeting which include the training packets they have been working on dealing with changes in working conditions and the Teachers and School Employee Protection Act.
NJEA WORKSITE SAFETY & HEALTH COMMITTEE – Kathy Snyder
Ms. Snyder reported a survey was sent out to the local presidents. If you have not completed the survey, please do so. Ms. Snyder asked Ms. Gilberti to send out another email with the survey attached to all local presidents for those that have not completed the survey.
NJEA PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Jenn Celentano
Ms. Celentano reported the committee will have recommendations for the DA. Basically they have been analyzing the current professional development recommendations that are in NJEA’s policy. She discussed the recommendations they will bring to the DA.
NJEA URBAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE – Carol Feinstein
Ms. Feinstein reported the April workshop that was planned has been postponed until the fall due to poor member response. She reported the committee compared public schools to charter schools.
NJEA CERTIFICATION, EVALUATION AND TENURE COMMITTEE – Thomas Papaleo
Mr. Papaleo reported the committee has finalized and is submitting a report to the DA. The report covers teacher evaluations, license changes and updates, and a review of the Governor’s Transition Committee Report.
NJEA HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS COMMITTEE – Betty Meeks Manning
Ms. Manning reported the Ethic Minority Leadership and Recruitment Conference that was scheduled for May 9 will be held on June 18 and 19 at the East Brunswick Hilton. The deadline to get in the nominations for the State Human and Civil Rights Award is October 1, 2010. The NEA’s award nominations are due in December 1, 2010.
GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN – Patricia Wulster
Ms. Wulster reported the Conference was held on May 3 and 4 in Atlantic City. The Governor was not present, the Lieutenant Governor attended on May 4. She discussed the legislative outbreak sessions she attended.
OLD BUSINESS – None
NEW BUSINESS – Mr. Romains asked for the outcome of the vote taken regarding his hearing at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Brady responded informing Mr. Romains and Mr. Coppola that a vote was taken to get the results of the ballots, the votes should be counted in Trenton, and there should be no freeze on the Bergen County votes.
ANNOUNCEMENTS –None
MEETING ADJOURNED - There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 PM.
