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	Present

Building Reps
Andover-Morris	Joan Ricker	P		High School	Elaine Strahle	A
Andover-Morris	Craig Stull	A		High School	Bonnie Vasvari	P
Barber	Marilyn Shober	P		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	P		Middle School	Matt Schenk	P
Ed. Center	Carol Bloch	P		Middle School	Nancy Zgoda	A
Freeman	Deb Carty	P		Paraprofessionals	Joanne Pizzino	P
Freeman	Brenda Shields	P		Paraprofessionals	Matty Pokrivchak	P
Green St.	Ann Ball	P		Paraprofessionals	Elaine Strahle	A
Green St.	Joe Lissi	P		PASS	Jen Nester	P
High School	Sue Brooks	P		Secretaries	Deb Tucker-Frank	P
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 February 6, 2007 meeting was made by Deb C. and seconded by Joan. Passed unanimously.

Treasurer's Report: Motion to accept the treasurer's report for the month of February 2007 was made by Chuck and seconded by Linda F.. Passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

1. Membership:
   1. Any new members in your building? Recruit them for membership into the Association. Membership application forms can be obtained from Gail Barbardora at Green St. School. Then contact Joan Ricker, A-M, to obtain a PEA t-shirt for every new member registered.
2. Scholarship:
   1. Joan & Chuck noted that applications for the PEA scholarship will be available to seniors this week. Applications are due back by Friday, May 1. The committee will meet either Monday, May 14, or Tuesday, May 15, to select this year's winners. Motion to approve expenditure of up to $200 for a meeting of the committee at Flynn's on either May 14 or May 15 to select this year's scholarship winners was made by Chuck and seconded by Deb T. Passed unanimously.
3. Ed Council:
   1. Chuck reported. that at the last meeting on Feb. 28, Gordon informed the council that he and the CSAs of the sending districts met with NJ Senator Leonard Lance for several hours. Bill Poch reported on the loss of $271,000 in state aid for 2007-08. This money will be made up by an increase in the school tax rate (about $.05) in town. The next meeting is Wed., May 16, at 6 p.m. at Flynn's on the Hill.
4. Health & Safety:
   1. Marilyn reported, that at the Feb. 8 meeting, the committee met with an Environmental Specialist.
   2. Teachers at high school and Early Childhood are asked to keep journals of classroom conditions (ex. temperatures, water leaks, molds, etc.).
   3. The next meeting is March 22
5. WCEA:
   1. Marilyn reported on the ESP workshop at which Elaine Strahle was recognized as the Warren County ESP of 2007.
   2. Check your e-mails for workshop info. from Marilyn.
   3. Next WCEA rep meeting is March 21 at 4 p.m. at Harkers Hollow.
6. Social:
   1. Deb C. noted that Warren Hospital workshop on Feb. 27 was well-attended.
   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 held at Flynn's on March 8 was good.
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.
   3. A grievance on dress code violation (i.e. blue jeans) is about to be filed on behalf of one of our members.
8. Negotiations:
   1. Marilyn informed us that the first paras' negotiations session with the board went very well.
   2. Barb reported that the teachers negotiations are now at the Fact Finding level.
   3. Jen Nester reported for the Action Committee. Flyers, buttons and other strategies are being considered. An article was read that is to be submitted to local newspaper(s). There will be a meeting of the Action Committee this Thursday. T-shirts are to be worn by all Association members this Friday.
   4. Barb noted that "We will get retroactive pay for our salaries."
9. Legislative:
   1. Chuck noted there was nothing to report.
10. Financial:
    1. Melissa Fey is organizing this committe and seeking volunteers to serve on it.
11. PR:
1. See section 8c above.
12. PD:
1. Chuck noted that the board formally approved the PD plan at Monday's meeting.

Building Concerns:

1. The high school reported concerns over the timeliness of the information being disseminated by the district Action Committee. Its Action Committee has been expanded to eight (8) personnel.
2. The aides are nervous about the wearing of blue jeans.
3. Early Childhood (and others) were informed to put in a billform if you have to give up your prep period for another duty.
4. The middle school had concerns about two (2) field trips to Boston & Baltimore. Barb informed us that no one should be volunteering to go. There was a concern expressed about the information coming from the district Action Committee.
5. The board office had concerns about the lack of information getting to them from the district Action Committee.
6. Green St. directed an IEP query to Nadine. A concern about wearing blue jeans was expressed. Coverage after school was discussed.
7. Freeman noted that they watched the 'Bullying' video during a faculty meeting. This is a PD activity and should not be done during a faculty meeting. In cases such as this, the building administrator should be informed that our members will submit billforms for PD activities conducted during faculty meetings or after school hours.
8. Andover-Morris noted that in reference to watching children after school hours, "We'll stay if you pay!"

Old Business:

1. The nominating commmittee returned a slate of candidates for the April election. The slate consists of Barbara English for President, Deb Carty for Vice-President, Jo Bononno for treasurer, Charles Nowalk for Recording Secretary and Marilyn Shober for Corresponding Secretary.

New Business:

1. Deb C. moved to approve up to $500 for more t-shirts and sample long-sleeved and collared shirts bearing the PEA logo. Seconded by Matty. Passed unanimously.
2. Nadine moved, and Linda F. seconded, that the following dates be set on the PEA calendar: Monday, April 30, general elections; Monday, April 23, general membership meeting at 4:15 at a location tba; and Monday, April 16, is the deadline for supplemental nomination forms to be turned into Joe Lissi of Green St., chairperson of the nominating committee. Passed unanimously.
3. Click on the following link to download a nomination form if you areinterested in filing a supplemental nomination form. This form must be turned into Joe Lissi, Green St., by Monday, April 16.

Motion to adjourn was made at 5:55 p.m. by Chuck and seconded by Deb T.. Passed unanimously.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Charles Nowalk, Secretary