Secretary's Report: approved.

Treasurer's Report: approved.

Committee Reports:

1. Negotiations: Para professionals and security guards will be meeting with the Board on February 25^th at 7:00 p.m. A one-hour presentation for proposals for the Para's and a one-hour presentation for the security proposals has been set up.
2. Grievance: There is still one pending at this time.
3. Social:
   1. Retirement dinner for Thursday June 3^rd, we are checking prices and menus at The Candlelight Inn and The Almond Tree Manor. More information will be forthcoming.
4. Ed Council: They will be meeting for the first time on February 18^th at the Ed. Center at 6:30 p.m. One item to be discussed will be the new calendar for next year.

Old Business:

1. Climate survey: It is back from NJEA . A committee will meet on March 2^nd at 4:00 p.m. at Flynn's to discuss the results.
2. NEA Delegates: Mike Kruschek and Carol Mertz will be attending. Warren County will be paying for their trip. Barb suggested that if others are interested, that the PEA should help sponsor them.
   

New Business:

1. April Elections: for the local school budgets-Chuck Norwalk will get all the local NJEA members phone numbers and will need help in calling them, to get members to vote "yes" for their budgets.
   

Building concerns:

1. Late buses, teachers will be compensated for the time spent past their quitting time. Make sure you log out to show the time and put in a bill form. A teacher was hired at the High School to accommodate the late OP bus. No one should be volunteering his or her time.
2. There has been a rash of thefts in some buildings, the spelling bee trophy was one of the casualties, it will be replaced.
3. Concerns were brought up about the school calendar; George explained that this is an issue for Ed Council.
4. IEP time: Special Ed teachers are having to do more paperwork, they can refuse to do it, if it is something that should be done by the caseworker. Elementary special ed teachers are not given time during the day to write the IEPs. Some buildings make arrangements while others do not. There should be a policy that is followed by all the buildings to accommodate these teachers, so they can do this task.
5. Maternity leave: You must work for one year before you can take another maternity leave. There are other options if needed, such as the Family Leave. If you have any questions you can check your contract, or check with your building rep.
6. The teachers NEW contract should be printed this week, it explains the maternity leave in more detail.
7. There were some GREAT ideas to help bolster Union awareness and pride:
   1. That the PEA purchase T-shirts for the union members to be worn once a month on dress down Friday. George suggested instead of a T-shirt, that it could be a polo shirt with the logo on it.
   2. PEA scholarship: This was done years ago.
   3. Quarterly newspaper for PEA members: We used to have a monthly newsletter, and now Chuck puts a vast amount of information online, but a hard copy might be more assessable to some.
8. The specials teachers didn't show up at their classes on the early dismissal day. George will look into this.
9. When there was inclement weather, the special teachers had to travel to different buildings in icy conditions.

Motion to adjourn was made by Sue Brooks and seconded by Elaine Strahle

Next meeting March 9, 2004

Respectfully submitted,

Marilyn Shober