The meeting was called to order by President Barbara English at 3:30 p.m..

Roll Call

Officers
President	Barbara English	Present
Vice-President	Deb Carty	Present
Treasurer	Nadine Anderson	Present
Recording Secretary	Charles Nowalk	Present
Corresponding Secretary	Marilyn Shober	Absent

Building Reps
Andover-Morris	Joan Ricker	P		High School	Elaine Strahle	P
Andover-Morris	Craig Stull	A		High School	Bonnie Vasvari	P
Barber	Marilyn Shober	A		Middle School	Barbara English	P
Custodians	Matt Zeeman	P		Middle School	Melissa Fey	A
Early Childhood	Linda Fowler	P		Middle School	Kelly Franco	A
Early Childhood	Linda Mannix	P		Middle School	Heather Hendrix	A
Early Childhood	Deb Tucker-Frank	A		Middle School	Matt Schenk	A
Ed. Center	Carol Bloch	A		Middle School	Nancy Zgoda	A
Freeman	Deb Carty	P		Paraprofessionals	Joanne Pizzino	A
Freeman	Brenda Shields	A		Paraprofessionals	Matty Pokrivchak	A
Green St.	Ann Ball	A		Paraprofessionals	Elaine Strahle	P
Green St.	Joe Lissi	P		PASS	Jen Nester	P
High School	Sue Brooks	P		Secretaries	Deb Tucker-Frank	A
High School	Charles Nowalk	P		Secretaries	Bonnie Vasvari	P
High School	Jennifer Ostile	A		Security	John Hann	A
				Special Services	Nadine Anderson	P

Secretary's Report: Motion to accept the minutes of the January 9, 2007 meeting was made by Deb and seconded by Elaine. Passed unanimously.

Treasurer's Report: Motion to accept the treasurer's report for the month of January 2007 was made by Deb and seconded by Elaine. Passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

1. Membership:
   1. Any new members in your building? Remember to recruit them for membership into the Association. Membership application forms can be obtained from Gail Barbardora at Green St. School.
2. Scholarship:
   1. Chuck noted that the committee will meet in trailer 18 at the high school next Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 3:30 p.m.
3. Ed Council:
   1. Next meeting is Wed., Feb. 28, at 6p.m. at Flynn's on the Hill. Barb asked ARs to verify that every building has a rep present and to inform her whom it is. Also please inform Barb of any issues you wish to bring up to the Ed Council ahead of time. Representatives for Andover-Morris and PASS are still required.
4. Health & Safety:
   1. Next meeting is Feb. 8, 3:30 p.m., at the high school in trailer 26.
5. WCEA:
   1. Check your e-mails for workshop info. from Marilyn.
6. Social:
   1. Deb noted that Warren Hospital will present this year's workshop on 'Recognizing Child Abuse' on Feb. 27. E-mail Marilyn Shober to reserve your spot.
   2. The Retirement Dinner will be Thursday, May 24.
   3. NJEA workshop on 'Differentiated Instruction' and another for ESPs will be held at Flynn's on March 26 from 4-6. PD hours will be granted for these workshops.
   4. Pension workshop to be held at Flynn's on March 8. Motion to charge non-PEA members $10 to attend this workhsop was made by Nadine and seconded by Chuck. Passed unanimously.
7. Grievance:
   1. A grievance is currently at the board level. We are close to a resolution on it.
   2. Possibility of another grievance concerning paras and longevity is in the pipeline.
8. Negotiations:
   1. Teachers are scheduled to meet with the board and a state-appointed mediator on Feb. 13.
   2. Elaine informed us that the board cancelled the first paras meeting scheduled for Jan. 31.
   3. The security negotiations have made no progress either.
   4. Action Committee met yesterday and updated us on their plans.
9. Legislative:
   1. Continue to utilize NJEA's Cyber-Lobbying module on its website.
10. PR:
1. The Action Committee will take over the duties of the PR committee.
11. PD:
1. The four (4) Association members of the districts PD committee (LPDC) will be the members of this newly formed Association committee. The current Association members of the LPDC are Ryanne Bigelli, Charles Nowalk, Ro Rinker and Zena Wambold.

Building concerns:

1. Barb reported that middle school personnel that had duties off school grounds had been recalled to positions on school grounds. Concerns for their safety were voiced as the reason for the changes.
2. Early Childhood inquired about paras and pay discrepancies and unused 'snow days'. Some individuals who completed the on-line workplace compliance tutorial will not be in school on the day the comp time will be used. Barb asked that any individual in this situation contact Jackie Attinello's secretary to make her aware of their situation. The push is on to complete the Middle States' paperwork.
3. It was noted that a new trailer has appeared near the Field House. This will be Tom Scerbo's new office.
4. PASS reports that their plumbing is working once again.
5. Green St. reported that one person did not receive a Voice-Shot message last night about a 90 minute delay in the opening of the schools. Barb said to inform Larry McKenna of the problem by e-mail. Barb also complimented the Green St. staff for talking with the principal about the correct useage of time during a faculty meeting. And an inquiry about why 90 minute delayed opening? Why not 2 hours?
6. The high school inquired if the delayed openings were affecting any of the part-time paras. Barb informed us that delayed opening affect building programs - not part-time employees. Be careful that you show up on time for work when there is a delayed opening! Approximately 40-50 professional staff left school early last Friday (with the administrations' blessings) as compensation for the time they put into the 'Drop Everything and Write' program last week during their prep periods! Moral of this lesson? If you are required to utilize your prep time for any activity other than preparation for your classes, put in a billform to be compensated for your time. The administration might decide to compensate you in time off rather than $$. It's their choice.
7. Freeman School experienced their first ever 'lockdown' drill two weeks ago.
8. Andover-Morris reported that several of their intercom switches don't work. Barb informed them to put in maintenance request forms for these repairs. There was discussion about observations and lesson plans.

Old Business:

1. Barb noted that over $2,000 was collected for the middle school teacher and her family who lost their home to a sinkhole.
2. Elaine Strahle, high school paraprofessional, has been named the Warren County ESP (Educational Support Professional) of the Year. She will now be in the running to be NJ's ESP of the Year. She (and up to three other ESPs) will be attending a three day ESP workshop in the beginning of March.

New Business:

1. Barb noted for us that a bill is before the legislature that would mandate the closing of schools if the temperature reached a certain level.
2. Barb appointed a Nominating committee for this year's PEA officers' elections. Joe Lissi was appointed the chairperson. Anyone interested in running for an office (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary) for the 2007-09 school years must obtain 30 signatures from active PEA members and turn the signatures over to Joe Lissi by Monday, March 12. Click on the following link to download the nomination form.

Motion to adjourn was made at 5:25 p.m. by Nadine and seconded by everybody else. Passed unanimously.

Next meeting March 13, 2007, @ 3:30 in PMS home ec room.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles Nowalk, Secretary