CONGRATULATIONS GIBBSBORO EA!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to the Gibbsboro Education Association on their recently ratified contract. This association was able to achieve a $51,000 start salary!!! This will be the first Camden County local to meet the NJEA goal of “$50,000 the first day.”

THANK YOU, CAMDEN COUNTY!!!

THANK YOU!!!


The Region 3 UniServ office would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude for your participation in the “Back-Off Rally” on December 11. In the usual Camden County style, you came through in record numbers. We realize that you made personal sacrifices on behalf of many, many people. You have our personal thanks for helping us to exceed our county expectations.

We would like to wish each of you a joyous holiday filled with peace, hope, and plenty of rest. You have surely earned it!!!

Donna Maurer and Gail Coudriet
Region 3

BREAKTHROUGH DEVELOPMENT

As you may know, the Legislature had announced its intention to push S-40 and A-2 through without adequate committee review and without adequate public comment. Together with the CWA and host of other unions, NJEA scheduled a news conference yesterday afternoon to denounce both the process and the legislation. That news conference was cancelled because there was a breakthrough development.

Governor Corzine told the legislators that the most harmful provisions of the legislation must be removed immediately so that he can negotiate them with the state public employee unions.
The following provisions of the bill will be removed:

--Moving part-time employees into a defined contribution plan
--Capping unused sick leave payouts at retirement
--Implementing the uniformity clause
--Eliminating the non-forfeitable right for new hires to their pensions
--Automatic pension forfeiture for public employees convicted of a crime
--Precluding public employees charged with a crime from participating in the pre-trial
intervention program
--Changing the highest average salary average for pension calculation from three to five years
and for vets from one to three years
--Moving accidental and ordinary disability coverage to a private carrier.

While these provisions will be removed from the bill, we still have challenges ahead with these concepts. There will be more battle to come, but we wanted you to know that the pressure we have already put on the legislature and our relationship with the governor is making a difference. We look forward to seeing you at our great rally on Monday!

NEW LEGISLATION

On December 4th Senator Richard Codey, Senate President (District 27) introduced bill #S-40. This bill, if passed into law, would implement some of the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employees Benefits Reform which would affect certain conditions of employment for public employees. The bill is 131 pages long and is currently being researched by NJEA.

The Assembly version of the senate bill, A-2 is sponsored by Nellie Pou (District 35) and Tom Giblin (District 34). Again, this bill is approximately 131 pages and is also being analyzed by NJEA.

NJEA opposes many of the changes in these bills and will work diligently to protect the earned benefits of our members.

As more definitive information becomes available, NJEA will communicate with its members the impact this legislation will have on their employment.

PEN BEN MEETING ALERT!!!

The CWA has planned several regional meetings around the state to address the same issues as our rally on the 11th. We have been asked to supply some members to attend these events.

In the south, there will be two meetings, as follows:

12/5 @ the Holiday Inn on the Marlton Pike in Cherry Hill - 6 - 7:30 p.m.
12/6 @ the Clarion Hotel on the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township - 6 - 7:30 p.m.

We are reaching out to you, as association leaders, to see if you or your LAT chairs will be able to attend one of these meetings.

Following are a few questions questions and answers you may have:

1. What should we do at the meeting? Just attend.
2. Are there any marching orders? Talking points will be distributed at our meeting on
Monday, Dec. 4.
3. Will any NJEA leaders be speaking? Those plans are being worked out as you are reading
this message.
4. What about LATs? They should be your first request.
5. What is the timeline for this? We would like a rough estimate of who is able to attend by
noon on Monday the 4th.

URGENT MEETING - HOLD THE DATE!

The Region 3 UniServ office is urging local presidents and LAT chairs to hold Monday, December 4, for an urgent meeting regarding the unprecedented attack on our pensions and benefits.

This meeting will be held at Ventura's restuarant at 4:30 p.m. All NJEA staff have been asked to clear their calendars to deal with this most crucial matter. We hope that our associations do the same.

More information on this meeting will be forthcoming. We promise to keep you updated as events unfold. Stay tuned for more details.

INITIAL RESPONSE FROM NJEA ON THE PROPOSALS FROM THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

The four committees of the Special Legislative Session officially released their recommendations on November 15. They will meet on November 20 to vote to approve those recommendations and close the Special Session. Many of the recommendations have been or will be put soon into legislation and debated through the normal legislative committee process. NJEA will testify extensively. We expect the pension and benefits proposals to be considered immediately. With the exception of the school funding formula, we expect most of the bills to be considered by the end of December.

Together, the committee reports, which are now posted on the Legislature’s website are about 800 pages. The talking points below are in response to an oral briefing NJEA received. They are not comprehensive. We will refine our response after analyzing the actual recommendations. Check this page for updates daily.

NJEA RESPONDS

For more than a decade, legislators and governors of both parties have badly mismanaged the state’s finances, beginning with Governor Whitman’s reckless income tax cuts and continuing with the annual under-funding of the state pension plans. Finally facing fiscal catastrophe, the Special Session of the Legislature has produced recommendations that will have far-reaching unintended consequences.

Taken together, the proposals seek to address the property tax problem all at once and largely at the expense of hard-working public employees.

While NJEA supports the committees’ recommendations that deal with ending pension abuses, among others, many of the recommendations would gravely damage public education in New Jersey, would undermine collective bargaining, and would make it more difficult to attract new teachers and school employees. Even proposing some of the changes to the pensions and post-retirement medical benefits may result in a mass exodus of teachers and school employees who are eligible for retirement.

Currently, 32,498 school employees are eligible to retire. That represents almost one in four, a stunning 23.3 percent. Many will leave before the end of this school year in order to be grandfathered and avoid paying the new premium on their post-retirement medical benefits. This could result in chaotic circumstances in the immediate future.

Big problems have far-reaching consequences. They need thoughtful analysis and careful scrutiny to ensure that any proposed solutions do not create new and more difficult problems in the long-term. NJEA will fiercely oppose those proposals that would be blatantly unfair to school employees, would make school employment far less competitive, and would damage the educational quality of our public schools. We will testify. We will lobby legislators in Trenton and in their district offices, and we will rally at the State House on December 11.

NJEA supports the following proposed concepts:

Providing incentives for the voluntary sharing of services.

Reducing property taxes by 20% with means testing.

Permitting no reduction in the state-paid employer contributions to the pension plans.

Use sound actuarial funding and accounting practices.

Eliminating the vote on school budgets that are under the cap.

Providing state support for full-day kindergarten in all districts and support for pre-school construction in A/B districts.

Providing some selective increase for in-district placement and inclusion of special education students if there is appropriate classroom support, class size reduction, and training.

Increasing bulk purchasing of pharmaceuticals.

Creating disease management programs, if carefully implemented.

Screening participants in the SHBP for eligibility.

Replacing the Homestead Rebate with credit on the property tax bill.

Respecting the collective bargaining process.

NJEA opposes the following proposed concepts:

Tiering the pension plan in any way because those benefits serve to attract and retain experienced employees. Two individuals doing exactly the same job should receive the same pension benefit.

Moving the early retirement age from 55 to 62 for new employees. This would also cost
districts more money in higher salaries and health insurance and contribute to higher property taxes.

Raising the retirement age to 62 for new hires. This also would cost districts more money in higher salaries and health insurance and contribute to higher property taxes.

Repealing new school employees’ non-forfeitable right to their pensions. In the 1990’s, NJEA gained employees’ “nonforfeitable right” to their pensions in return for withdrawing our legal challenge to the under-funding of the pension plan. The State should never renege on a deal it made with public employees.

Changing the pension formula calculation from an average of the three highest years to the five highest years. This amounts to an non-negotiated reduction in employees’ overall compensation package.

Moving n/55 back to n/60, a substantial reduction in benefits, for new hires. The state would be penalizing school employees for its fiscal mismanagement over the last decade. With ESEA and increased standardized testing, expectations of teachers have risen steadily. This is no time for what amounts to a decrease in teachers’ compensation.

Removing part-time employees making more than $5,000 from the Defined Benefit Pension plan and placing them in a Defined Contribution plan. Part-time school employees, such as food service workers, are career employees who serve their communities for a life-time. Although their pensions are very small, for many, their most important compensation is their pension and health benefits. With their low salaries, a defined contribution plan would not provide a dignified retirement, thus making those jobs less competitive.

Removing part-time employees making less than $5,000 from all pension plans. Part-time school employees, such as food service workers, are career employees who serve their communities for a life-time. For many, their most important compensation is their pension and health benefits. Removing those benefits will result in an unprecedented shortage of school employees in many important job categories.

Cap pensionable salary at $97,000 for 2007. Pension calculations should be based on actual salaries.

Reducing the level of benefits in the State Health Benefits Plan. We should be working to improve the health insurance available to all New Jerseyans, not trying to reduce that which is now available to some.

Requiring all active school employees to pay a premium on their health benefits now and in retirement.

Tiering health benefits for new retirees because those benefits serve to help retain experienced employees. This step would immediately create a mass exodus of employees.

Ten percent premium sharing for the new employees in the SHBP. This amounts to a “tax” on new participants in the SHBP. The state can negotiate this increase with the state employee unions, but such a change can only be negotiated for school employees at local bargaining tables.

Placing a $15,000 cap on sick leave buy-outs (to be put in place when current contracts expire). This directly undermines the collective bargaining process. It will most certainly result in litigation across the state.

Placing an even more restrictive cap on revenue and/or school budgets which could be raised only with a super majority of voters’ approval. There are serious emergencies and unanticipated conditions for which schools must be prepared to respond. Requiring a super majority of voters makes it almost impossible to remove the cap, even when it is the only responsible step to take.

Giving county superintendents enhanced authority over local budgets and out-of-district placements. This would reduce and undermine citizens’ control of their local public schools.

Moving school board elections to November. This move would politicize what is currently a non-partisan election process.

Applying the Abbott regulations to all districts. The applicability of each regulation must be analyzed and considered individually.

Providing grants to districts based on (test) outcomes. Scores are not an appropriate criteria because they put too much emphasis on superficial learning.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

We have just learned that the recommendations of the four committees participating in the Special Legislative Session officially will be released to the public tomorrow morning. A multitude of recommendations will be made concerning school funding, property tax reform, pensions, health benefits, regionalization, shared services, and constitutional reform. We are anticipating a worst case scenario, especially in the areas of pensions, benefits and regionalization.

Some of these recommendations will be put into legislation and debated in the Legislature, probably before the end of the year. We expect pensions and benefit proposals to be considered first, while it may take much longer to develop the school funding proposal.

In the weeks ahead, we will need all hands on deck to defeat what we believe will be an unprecedented assault on our pensions and benefits.

As soon as we have a copy of the recommendations, we will respond forcefully in the press and post information on our website. Check www.njea.org for the latest information and watch for the December Reporter and Review.

Mark your calendars now. In addition to our previously announced Lobby Days on December 4, 7, 14, we will be holding a massive rally, together with the other public employee unions, at the State House on December 11 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Details will follow soon.

Many Thanks from UniServ!!!

We would like to congratulate and thank you for your efforts this past weekend, as well as for the impressive attendance at last Thursday's LAT meeting. Local presidents organized their members in record numbers.

We remind you to get out tonight to vote. As you know, we are organizing in difficult legislative times. We believe this is just the beginning of some much needed grass roots organizing.

Please feel free to extend our thanks to all members who participated in these legislative events.

As always, you proved again that Camden county locals really do pull through when needed the most.

DON'T GET SICK! LEGISLATION PUTS HEALTH CARE AT RISK!

So did you hear about the bill that Senator Gormley and Assemblyman O’Toole introduced?

Their new bill (S-2282/A-3618) makes drastic changes to the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP). Ouch!

The bill calls for a basic healthcare plan for active and retired members in the SHBP known as the “Essential Benefits Plan.” Active members who are in the current SHBP would be placed in this new healthcare plan after the expiration of their current contract and retirees’ in the SHBP would be placed in the new plan after the enactment of this bill into law.

The bill would:

Require a 5% contribution to the basic plan by the employee with riders that the employer would contribute a minimum of 10%.
Require a hospital co-pay not less than $250 per stay and a hospital admission review for any benefit expenditure.
Cap diagnostic testing, wellness and preventive care, and doctor visits for injury and mental illness.
Cover thirty specific items only—employees would have the option of buying additional riders if they want better coverage than the basic plan.
Mandate mail order prescription purchasing.

A CUT IN BENEFITS IS A CUT IN PAY!

Tell Senator Gormley and Asemblyman O’Toole that you oppose this bill! Here’s how:

Go to http://www.njea.org/. Click on Legislative Action/Cyberlobbying and enter your PIN (it’s on your membership card) and password (the last 4 digits of your Social Security number) to log in. You will see an action alert entitled “Don’t get sick!” Click “Take Action” and follow the instructions to send e-mail to Senator Gormley and Assemblyman O’Toole today!

180 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08607-1211 (609)599-4561 http://www.njea.org/

State Health Benefits Program

Proposed Legislation by Senator Gormley

Senator William Gormley (R-Atlantic) has proposed a bill which would make drastic changes to the State Health Benefits Program. While the text of this legislation is not yet available, we know that several of its provisions are highly objectionable. The proposed legislation would mandate premium sharing by employees and would eliminate NJ Plus and the traditional components of the state plan in favor of a PPO (preferred provider option).

The bill, S-2282, would affect state, county, municipal, and school employees within the SHBP. As soon as GR and Research can analyze the full text of this bill, we will share additional information. S-2282 is not expected to be considered until such time as the current special session is concluded in mid-November.

NJEA members should contact Senator Gormley’s office via phone, letter, fax or email to let him know their strong objections to his proposed legislation.

SENATOR William Gormley, R
Hamilton Mall, Suite 108
Black Horse Pike
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
(609) 646-3500 (609) 646-6735 FAX
SenGormley@njleg.org e-mail address

October 18 Pension and Benefits Reform Committee Hearing

Topic: Pension and Health Beneftis Reform
Date: October 18, 2006
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Gloucester Community College (College Center)

Here we go again!!!

There will be a joint legislative committee hearing on Health Benefits and Pension Reform (details are listed above.) As you are aware, the issues being heard by this committee can have devastating and far reaching impact on you and your members. It is imperative that we recruit as many members as possible to attend this hearing.

We again realize that this is short notice; however, this is part of the legislaters' game plan. Email us ASAP with a list of members who will attend. We will supply you with directions.

Again, our thanks.

Donna, Gail, Gale, and Dawn
Region 3

State Health Benefits Changes for 2007

October 2, 2006

State Health Benefits Commission Changes Benefits & Rates for 2007

More actions expected in coming months

Despite extensive lobbying by NJEA, the State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) voted on Sept. 5, 2006, to make major changes to benefits in the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP). In addition, beginning Jan. 1, 2007, board-paid premiums will increase in the Traditional, NJ PLUS, HMO, and the SHBP Prescription Drug Card plans. In addition, rates were adopted for under age-30 dependents.

When news leaked out about the commission’s plans to adopt benefits changes, NJEA members, including a large contingent of retirees, packed the commission’s recent meetings. The commission, however, rejected the issues raised by public employee representatives about the negative impact of the proposed modifications to the plan.

The commission-adopted SHBP rates are based on the following modifications to the state plan:

· Eliminating dual coverage, known as coordination of benefits, in the SHBP when a husband and wife or domestic partners are both eligible for coverage whether active employees or retired. This means that if both individuals are eligible for enrollment or participation in the SHBP, one can enroll for single coverage and the other for parent/dependent coverage. The two individuals would no longer both be able to enroll for family coverage with each covering their spouse/partner and eligible dependents. While included in the rate action, this proposal will not take effect until adopted as regulation under the Administrative Procedures Act, following a 60-day public comment period.

· Increasing the NJ PLUS/HMO office visit co-payments from $5 to $10 for both active employees and retirees.

· Increasing the SHBP Prescription Drug Card program co-pays for active employees from $1 for generic/$5 for brand names at retail and mail-order pharmacies to $3 for generic/$10 for brand names at retail stores and $5 for generic/$15 for brand names through mail-order.

· Increasing the Retiree Prescription Drug Card Program out-of-pocket maximum from $1,000 to $1,082 in 2007 and increasing by $1 certain prescription co-payments for retirees.
Proposed changes to be adopted through regulatory process

Change in dependent premium sharing ---

Under current regulations, all employees in a school district must be treated the same in terms of premium sharing for dependents (the benefits and additional cost an employer must pay for dependent coverage.)

The State Health Benefits Commission is proposing to allow public employers, including school boards, to bargain different premium-sharing arrangements for dependent coverage for different categories of employees. If this change passes a board could choose, for example, to provide free coverage for the chief school administrator’s spouse and try to bargain 50 percent premium sharing for other school staff.

These proposed changes to the administrative code are being published in the New Jersey Register for official public notification. There must be a 60-day public comment period prior to final adoption.

Plan to mandate generic and mail-order drugs delayed until January
The commission tabled until its January meeting further discussion of a proposal for mandatory substitution of generic and mail-order drugs for prescriptions.

The N.J. Division of Pensions and Benefits has stated the delay will give it time to develop an education program for plan participants prior to the proposal’s implementation. The division indicated it intends to seek commission approval for this change in January.

NJEA’s response ---

A group of NJEA officers, staff, and attorneys are meeting to review the legality of the commission’s actions in adopting changes in the SHBP, particularly those which were not published in advance nor adequately advertised to allow for public comment.

An advisory outlining the actions of the SHBC will be sent to NJEA UniServ staff to assist them in providing guidance to NJEA affiliates.

SHBP fiscally sound, commission’s actuary says ---

The changes come at a time when the commission’s actuarial firm, Aon, Inc., reported that the SHBP’s medical claims experience has been much lower than the benchmark values from Aon’s national trend survey. This means that the claims filed through the SHBP are increasing at a lower rate than comparable plans nationwide, a trend that has continued for at least the past two years.

According to Aon, Inc., the SHBP local employer group is financially solvent, with a projected cumulative surplus of approximately $247 million or about two months of projected plan expenses.

NEWS FROM THE SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION

EYE ON TRENTON
News from the Special Legislative Session

>Contact your legislators

>Read more on njea.org's Special Session page

MISINFORMATION ALERT!
Senator Cardinale claimed that charter schools cost less per child and have higher test results. Here’s the National Assessment of Education Progress report card that shows charter school students’ performance lags behind their public school counterparts. Read more on the committee’s proceedings.

NJEA Launches Newsletters on the Special Session
NJEA is launching an e-newsletter for staff and a similar one for members about the special legislative session. This first issue provides extensive background about developments since July. Future editions will be very brief updates e-emailed regularly. Each issue will also be available for staff on the home page of the NJEA intranet and for members in the pen-ben section of www.njea.org.
Governor Corzine Calls Special Session of the Legislature
On July 28, 2006 Governor Corzine addressed a joint session of the New Jersey State Legislature. Read his speech

He called upon the Legislature to meet in a “special session” to create a plan to reform and reduce property taxes. The Legislature created four bi-partisan, bi-cameral committees to address issues related to tax reform. These committees met throughout August and will continue to meet weekly throughout the fall. Each committee has been charged with the task of developing a report and recommendations by mid-November. Read more information on Corzine’s expectations from the special session.

The committees are known as:
The Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform
The Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services
The Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform
The Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Constitutional Convention
Read more about each committee’s charge

So far, only the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform and the Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Constitutional Convention have heard public testimony. NJEA officers and leaders have testified before each of those committees.

NJEA leaders and members need to be aware of these deliberations and contact lawmakers to provide input into these important policy decisions.

After reading NJEA’s positions below, let your legislators know what you think.

Public School Funding ReformDOE refuses to make school funding formula public

The Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform will be developing a new school funding formula. Clearly, New Jersey’s current school funding formula is outdated and unfair. NJEA supports the creation of a new school funding formula that will provide the necessary resources to ensure a high quality education for students in all districts, regardless of zip code.

The Department of Education has been working on a new formula, but has been unwilling to share its plan publicly. NJEA believes that the administration’s plans should be shared with the education community and the public now.

As of Oct. 4, the Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform has held eight meetings. Five more meetings are scheduled for October.

So far, the committee has heard testimony on school funding litigation and funding formula types, CEIFA and S-1701, cost-cutting measures, No Child Left Behind, approaches to determining the cost of education, and the New Jersey Quality Single Continuum (NJQSAC) law. Read more on this committee.

On Tuesday, September 5, NJEA President Joyce Powell and other NJEA leaders testified before the committee on cost-cutting measures. Read testimony.

On Tuesday, Oct. 10, President Powell and other local leaders will be presenting testimony at the committee’s first public hearing.

Government Consolidation and Shared Services
NJEA: No compromise on school quality

The Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services will be developing recommendations on sharing services and regionalizing functions at all levels of government, including schools. NJEA supports efforts to create efficiencies. However, NJEA also believes that regionalization should be voluntary and considered on a case-by-case basis, not as a statewide mandate or policy.

Most importantly, any plan to consolidate or regionalize services must not diminish educational quality just to cut costs.

As of September 30, 2006, the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Consolidation and Shared Services has held five meetings. View the proceedings.
Public Employee Benefits Reform

The Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform has been charged with developing proposals to control the cost of public employee benefits and address pension and benefits abuses. While NJEA supports eliminating abuses to the system, lawmakers need to understand that our members are not the problem!

In the FY 2007 State Budget, lawmakers made the first significant pension contribution in a decade—ending a nine year “pension holiday” during which the state skipped making its required payments. While the State was enjoying its pension holiday, public employees continued to make their required contributions out of each pay check. Now the fund is running low and some lawmakers want to scapegoat public employees as having caused this problem.

As of September 30, 2006, the committee has held six meetings. View the proceedings.

On Tuesday, September 19, more than 200 NJEA members and members of other public employee unions attended the committee’s meeting in Clifton High School. NJEA speakers Joyce Powell, Jacqui Greadington, and Joe Coppola, Jr., received standing ovations from the audience. Read their testimony.
Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Constitutional Convention

The Joint Legislative Committee on Constitutional Reform and Citizens Property Tax Constitutional Convention has been charged with developing proposals to address property tax reform through amendments to the New Jersey State Constitution. They also must consider the possibility of a constitutional convention.

New Jersey has relied too heavily on property taxes to fund our schools for too long. Schools and school employees are being targeted for the legislature’s failure to fix the broken property tax system. We need reform and we need it now. The legislature has the responsibility and the expertise to get the job done. They should do their job and not abdicate their responsibilities to a citizens’ convention which would not be able to provide reform until 2008 or 2009.

NJEA believes that the Legislature can and should reform property taxes without penalizing public schools. Legislation like the SMART bill would shift the burden from property taxes to income taxes for school funding, which would be a fairer system of taxation.

To read more about the SMART bill go to http://www.reformschooltaxes.com/.

As of September 25, 2006, the committee has held five meetings. NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Wendell Steinhauer provided NJEA’s official testimony to the committee on September 21. On September 28, four NJEA leaders testified at another committee meeting and reiterated NJEA’s position. Read NJEA’s testimony. More on this committee.


180 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08607-1211 (609) 599-4561 http://www.njea.org/

PUBLIC HEARING - TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10th

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

October 10, 2006 -- Collingswood Scottish Rite Auditorium
315 White Horse Pike
Collingswood

The Joint Legislative Committee on Public School Funding Reform will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, October 10, 2006 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the Ballroom and Theater at Collingswood.

We need to recruit 125 – 150 members to fill the auditorium!!!!

Thanking you in advance for your assistance.

URGENT MESSAGE REGARDING SPARKS AND THE OVERNIGHT WORKSHOP

Approximately one week ago, all local presidents received a mailing from our office regarding a SPARKS pilot which is being held at the Camden County Overnight Workshop. After speaking with several local association presidents, it appears that there is some confusion with the timing of this announcement. This pilot is a special and unique opportunity for associations in Camden County only.

It is our understanding that you also recently received a SPARKS nomination form which is being returned to Nancy Volpe. These are two separate and non-related experiences. Nancy Volpe's mailing deals with a statewide experience and is completely unrelated to this overnight pilot referenced above.

We are strongly encouraging you to nominate a new member for the SPARKS pilot at the Camden County Overnight Workshop. The SPARKS nominees must return their surveys to Region 3 no later than Thursday, October 5.

We hope that this communication clarifies any confusion you may have had. Please contact the Region 3 office with any questions or concern you may have.

Our sincere thanks for helping to make this experience possible.

Constitutional Reform and Citizen's Property Tax Convention

ATTENTION… ATTENTION… ATTENTION…

NJEA has just been notified that there will be a Joint Legislative Hearing on Constitutional Reform and Citizen’s Property Tax Convention.

We are currently reaching out to leaders throughout the region to provide testimony. We need to recruit members to attend this important hearing and to show support for our position in opposition to any Constitutional Convention.

We are reaching out to you, as leaders, to urge your members to attend this event in nearby Collingswood. It is important that we have a strong showing for this critical issue.

Date: THURSDAY – SEPTEMBER 28, 2006

Time: 5 – 9 PM

Place: THE BALLROOM AND THEATRE AT COLLINGSWOOD

If you are available, please respond via email or call the Region 3 office at 856-782-1225.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back! It's true - summer is over and a new school year has begun. Region 3 has been very busy preparing for negotiations in more than 20 locals this year. Workshops are being planned, including our first new member workshop on October 16 for new members. We'd like to remind you that these workshops fill to capacity every time, so RSVP as soon as possible. Fliers were mailed to local presidents this week. Feel free to duplicate them and distribute to your new members with three years experience or less. We look forward to another successful and rewarding school year!

Pension and Benefits Websites

NJEA and local leaders from Camden County have been working through the summer to protect your pension and benefits. As the school year begins, the legislature has been holding hearings on pensions, benefits, school funding, and school district consolidation. Click the link to to the right, titled New Jersey Legislature, to listen to the testimony. You will find President Joyce Powell and other NJEA officials representing your interests during these hearings. Don't hesitate to share this information with your members...

Once in the website, find the Public School Funding Reform located to the right under the "Joint" column. Click the "View" icon to observe the hearings that took place on September 5, 2006.

You may also find the link NJ League of Municipalities a helpful and informative website.

Camden County Welcomes New ESP Local

Please join us in welcoming the Mt. Ephraim Paraprofessionals Association to Camden County! This new unit was organized this summer and consists of more than 20 full-time assistants, including media, classroom, and one-on-one aides. We know you'll welcome President Debbie Henderson at our county functions.

Important Dates to Remember

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!!


October 11 -- Treasurers’ Training
Location: CCCEA Office, 6015 Piazza at Main St., Voorhees
RSVP to CCCEA at 856-489-1267
Registration: 4 p.m.
Workshop: 4:30 p.m.
Dinner to follow

October 16 -- New Member Workshop
Dealing w/Discipline while Preserving Dignity (eligible for
2 hours of PD credit)
Location: Ventura’s, 178 Rt. 73, Voorhees
RSVP to Gale Quinn at 856-782-1225 or gquinn@njea.org
by Oct 9
Registration: 4 p.m.
Workshop: 4:30 p.m.
Dinner: 6 p.m.


October 12 -- Camden County Fall Focus
Location: Elite Catering at the Coliseum, 333 Preston Ave., Voorhees
RSVP to CCCEA at 856-489-1267 by Sept. 28
Registration: 4 p.m.
Workshop: 4:30 p.m.
Dinner: 5:30 p.m.

October 14 -- Jim George Collective Bargaining Summit
Location: Trenton Marriott, 1 W. Layfayette St.
Registration: 8 a.m.
RSVP by Sept. 21

October 20 – 21 Camden County Overnighter
Location: Wyndham, Mt. Laurel
RSVP to CCCEA at 856-489-1267 by Sept. 29

Gloucester Township EA - NJEA's Model for a New and Exciting Program

Going to Summer Leadership Conferences??? --- Be sure to check out the Support on Site elective being held at 4:30 Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. At this elective, NJEA will unveil its new statewide program known as SOS. This program is modeled after the highly successful SOS program organized by Camden County's very own Gloucester Township Education Association. The association has reduced teacher turnover and motivated its non-tenured members to be involved in their association. We are thrilled and excited to be able to share this motivating program at this elective. We hope you will join us!

Summer Organizing Campaign

Region 3 would like to thank the following Camden County members for volunteering time out of their very busy schedules to help support our Summer
Organizing Campaign…… Way to go Camden County!

Angel McDermott
Liz O’Keefe
Thomas Hayden
Bob Farrell
Anne Marie DeWitt
Jennifer Betz
Earl Kights
Helen McCracken
Linda Sanders
Lygia Haye
Sharon Long
Susan Wilby
Eleanor Clark
Dani Clark
Lorna Klimas

THANK YOU!

We're looking for Sparks!

2007 Sparks Leadership Research Academy
NJEA’s Opportunity – Development of a new generation of leaders and retention of newer teachers and ESP Members

The NJEA Sparks have caught fire!
In 2005-06, NJEA launched a pilot “Sparks” program to identify highly motivated, energized, and talented future leaders for the Association. The program exceeded our wildest expectations. After participating in a unique training/orientation program, our first class of Sparks went back to their locals and got involved – as officers, committee and PRIDE chairs, and activists. Others jumped right into county and statewide NJEA involvement. What we saw in these Sparks was potential, and the Sparks Program helped them to realize it.
The goal for 2007: Expansion of the Sparks Program
Due to the overwhelming success of the 2006 pilot program, NJEA has expanded the Sparks program and will be conducting a variety of Sparks events throughout the year. Each program will be geared not only to mentoring newer and younger members into leadership roles, but also to continuing our research into the rapidly changing demographics of these members. As part of the expanded program, we will also begin the necessary research for developing a Sparks program for all members.
We’re looking for potential Sparks!
We are asking NJEA’s staff, leaders, and members to identify potential Sparks for the class of 2007. Specifically, we are looking for members who are:
¨ 30 and under
¨ Five or less year’s of experience
¨ Little or no association involvement

Sparks are easily recognizable. They have that little extra “something” – that “spark” that ignites everyone around them. When you discover one, you’ll think, “Wow, I would love to bottle his/her energy and enthusiasm and get this person more involved in the Association.” You’ll recognize “Sparks” by the way they interact with their colleagues, approach their work, and/or just stand out in a crowd with their positive attitude and inquisitive nature.
How to submit 2007 nominations…
Nominating a Spark is easy. Just send an email to nvolpe@njea.org with the potential Spark’s name and local, how you met, and why you think the person is a “Spark.”
We’ll send them a survey packet to determine their level of interest and availability. The first two of many programs are planned for this fall, so please start submitting your nominations as soon as you meet a potential “Spark.”

Help Support Governor Corzine

SHOW YOUR LOVE TO THE GOV!


Governor Corzine has had to make some tough choices in the past few weeks.

· He proposed the most significant pension contribution in a decade—over one billion
dollars— and has led the fight for responsible pension funding to protect our retirement.

· While politicians have been taking stabs at public employee benefits, Governor Corzine fully funded the premium on our post-retirement medical benefits in his proposed FY 07 budget.

· He had the courage to propose a one penny increase in the sales tax to help pull New Jersey out of its fiscal nightmare.

· He shut down the state to avoid giving into another gimmick filled budget.

NOW…. We need to show the Gov our love.

Send him an e-mail letting him know that you support everything he is doing to clean up the mess in Trenton. Here’s how:

1. Point your web browser to: http://www.state.nj.us/governor/govmail.html

2. Next to “E-mail Topic” select “Topic Not Listed/Other” from the drop down menu and click “Continue.”

3. Enter the information requested. Under “affiliation” next to “group” type “NJEA.” It is important to for the Governor’s office to understand the level of support he is receiving from public school employees.

4. Type “Sales Tax” in the subject line of your message.

5. Type your message. Here are a few ideas that you can cut and paste into your message—or write your own!

· Thanks for having the courage to do the right thing. NJ can no longer continue building budgets on insufficient revenues.

· While no one likes to see taxes increase, raising the sales tax makes perfect sense in our current situation. I support your efforts whole heartedly.

· Please continue to stand strong for a responsible state budget. Thank you for all you are doing to pull New Jersey out of its fiscal crisis.

· Thanks for ending budget gimmickry and working so hard to clean up the mess in Trenton. You have my support!

· Public school employees appreciate your support for our pensions,

State Budget - Corzine Firm!

Governor Corzine addressed a joint session of the legislature this morning regarding the state’s failure to develop a budget for FY’07. The Governor used his constitutional authority to order the legislators to Trenton for an unprecedented 4th of July session to break the budget logjam. While the Governor can order the legislature to meet, he can not force them to take action. His Executive Order # 18 requires the legislature to come to Trenton every day until a budget is struck.

Almost 50 NJEA members and staff were in the gallery to hear Governor Corzine deliver a serious and sober message in which he offered support for a compromise proposal originally initiated by Senate President Codey. The proposal would devote half of the revenue derived from a new sales tax increase to property tax relief and devote the other half to address the state’s budget shortfall.

After the speech both houses and both parties caucused. The Senate left after an hour while the Assembly caucus continued for four hours.

At 4:45 pm Speaker Roberts held a press conference and declared the sales tax “dead in the Assembly.” He said that the Assembly Budget Committee members would be working all night and urged Governor Corzine to consider alternative cuts and revenue sources. NJEA was pleased to hear Speaker Roberts indicate that there was not support in his caucus for a proposal to extend the Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) tax. The TDI proposal would have negatively impacted our members by imposing a payroll tax that they currently do not pay.

As of this writing we believe that all parties to this debate continue to support the significant pension contribution for which we have been lobbying.

NJEA expects both houses to meet on a continuing basis. However, due to continuing uncertainty regarding the activities of the legislature, we are not asking members or staff to come to Trenton on Wednesday, July 5th. NJEA is working with other labor, environmental, consumer and civil rights groups on a Fairness Alliance press conference for Thursday, July 6th. Consequently, we may be asking members and staff to come to Trenton on that day. Please stand by for more information regarding a potential lobby day on Thursday, July 6th.

Members should continue to contact their legislators and urge them to end this crisis and provide New Jerseyans with a responsible state budget now.

When you contact our members please express our appreciation to those who spent part of their 4th of July holiday in Trenton with us as well as to those who took the time to contact their lawmakers during this continuing crisis. Their efforts are making a difference.

NJEA staff are in the State House monitoring events on an hourly basis.

State Budget Update

As you know, the Governor and the Legislature have not come to resolution on the FY ‘07 state budget. NJEA lobbyists are in the State House today monitoring the situation. Members of the Assembly Budget Committee are also in the State House meeting informally behind closed doors. From information we are receiving, the Assembly Democratic leadership and Governor Corzine are still far apart on this issue. Governor Corzine, Senate President Codey, and Speaker Roberts are slated to meet later today. Hopefully, that meeting will produce a resolution which can be voted on Monday, July 3rd or Tuesday, July 4th. Because of the uncertainty of the situation, at this time we are not asking members to come to Trenton during this holiday period. If, however, there is no resolution by Wednesday, July 5th, we may call upon you to come to Trenton. Please call NJEA Government Relations between 9:30 am and 10:00 am on Wednesday morning, July 5th, to learn whether you are needed in Trenton that day and to receive an update.

In the meantime, it would be helpful if you could contact the following three legislators:

Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts
Phone: 856-742-7600
Fax: 856-742-1831
Email: asmroberts@njleg.org

Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman
Phone: 609-292-0500
Fax: 609-633-2179
Email: aswwatsoncoleman@njleg.org

Assembly Budget Committee Chairman Lou Greenwald
Phone: 856-435-1247
Fax: 856-435-3849
Email: asmgreenwald@njleg.org

Call, fax, or email them with the message that it is time to craft a responsible budget for the citizens of New Jersey. The time to resolve this issue is now!

Remember, this situation could change quickly. We will try to keep you informed as more information becomes available. Thanks for any assistance you can provide

State Budget News

During the next several days, the Governor and the Legislature will be working on a new budget for 2006-2007. NJEA is hopeful that those deliberations will result in a state budget before July 1, 2006. If that is not the case, we may ask you to contact some of your members to lobby legislators over the July 4th weekend.

We have made arrangements for our office to be “ready to assist” any emergency lobbying effort that might become necessary.

We ask that you do the following:

1. Check your email regularly. This will be the most efficient way to contact you.

2. Watch the news over the next few days with an eye on the NJ Statehouse. The news
seems to change by the minute.

We hope that the legislators do their job, and go home for a very nice weekend. However, we need to remain vigilant whenever pension funding and school aid are topics of discussion in Trenton.

Thank you.

PRIDE in Public Education

PRIDE packets were mailed to local presidents the week of June 12. If you haven't received your packet, use the "email me" link to the right, and we'll get another one out to you.

For those of you who are PRIDE veterans, remember, proposals are due 60 days prior to your first project. Submit your proposals while funds are available! Coming soon --- PRIDE forms will be available on the njea website, as well as this blogspot!

For those of you who are first timers -- Consider getting involved with your community and getting support for your local association and the passage of your school budget. If you'd like to participate in PRIDE but find it all a little confusing, we would be happy to assist you in organizing some creative projects. as well as with the submission of your proposals for funding. To request assistance, call the Region 3 office at 856-782-1225 or use the "email me" link to the right.

Press Release -- June 19 Pension Rally

The following press release was posted by NJEA's Communications Division following the Public Employee Rally on June 19. Thank you, Camden County, for pulling your weight in helping to save the $1.5 billion pension contribution that Governor Corzine promised in his budget!!!

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Over 10,000 public employees rally in Trenton for pensions
Turnout exceeds expectations as raucous rally spills into streets

Trenton – Chanting and cheering to the strains of Aretha Franklin’s “R.E.S.P.E.C.T” over ten thousand public employees – teachers, school support professionals, police officers, firefighters, nurses, state workers, retirees and others – flooded West State Street in Trenton today for a boisterous rally aimed at convincing legislators to support the $1.3 billion pension and benefits contribution contained in Governor Corzine’s proposed budget.
NJEA President Joyce Powell led off a slate of over 20 speakers, including labor leaders, rank-and-file members, several legislators from both parties and Governor Corzine. Powell noted that the current pension deficit is a bi-partisan problem. “I don’t blame one person or one party for the mess this state is in,” noted Powell. “Pension neglect was a problem when Republicans were in power, it was a problem when the parties shared power and it’s been a problem with Democrats in power. Four different governors, two Republicans and two Democrats, have presided over budgets that failed to fund our pensions.”
Powell then praised Governor Corzine for his “courageous” budget, which calls for the state’s first meaningful pension contribution in over a decade. “We finally have a Governor who is trying to be part of the solution. The Governor has proposed a good, responsible budget, a budget without gimmicks. It’s time for both parties to get behind him and make sure that budget gets passed,” exclaimed Powell, to roars of approval.
NJEA is working in coalition with other public employee groups to achieve passage of a responsible budget with adequate revenues and Governor Corzine’s full proposed pension contribution.

Public Employee Rally - June 19, 2006

Time: Noon to 2 p.m.

Where: Statehouse, Trenton, NJ

Why: To save the $1.5 billion pension contribution Governor Corzine promised
in his budget.

We need a large turnout of NJEA members to tell the legislature:

“A deal is a deal!!!”

Gather all the NJEA members you can and come to Trenton on
June 19th. This rally is in the planning stages. More information about parking, transportation and other logistics will follow soon.

Save the Date!