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	Jo Bononno	Present
Recording Secretary	Charles Nowalk	Present
Corresponding Secretary	Marilyn Shober	Present

Guest: Joan Ricker, chairperson of Scholarship & T-shirt committees.

Correspondence: We received a 'Thank You' letter from Helene Meissner, Director of NORWESCAP's Food Bank, for our $1,500 contribution. Barb also read a letter about the changes getting ready to occur in the new year with the state's pension system.

Treasurer's Report: Jo presented the treasurer's report for November. Motion to accept the treasurer's report was made by Chuck and seconded by Marilyn. Passed unanimously.

Secretary's Report: Motion to accept the minutes of the November 6, 2007 meeting was made by Nadine and seconded by Linda F. Passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

1. Membership:
   1. Barb noted that all membership applications are to be sent to Joann Bonnville, membership chairperson, at the middle school.
2. Ed Council:
   1. Next meeting is Dec. 12, 6 p.m., at Flynn's. A rep for Special Services is still needed.
3. Health & Safety:
   1. Marilyn noted she is looking for more members for this committee.
4. WCEA:
   1. 'Suicide Awareness' workshop is tomorrow at Harker's Hollow.
   2. Executive officers attended an 'Executive Officers' workshop within the last month. Reports were positive.
   3. Still looking for a volunteer for the NJEA 'Urban Education' committee. Approximately 4 meetings/year in Trenton after school. Nadine indicated she possibly may be interested.
5. Social:
1. Deb reported that the 'Retirement Celebration' dinner will be held Thursday, May 22, at the Riverview Country Club in Easton, PA. (Same location as last year.)
6. Scholarship:
   1. Barb noted that some of the shirts are in.
   2. Scholarship committee will meet in February to peruse changes suggested after last May's meeting and to prepare this year's scholarship application form. We will have $3,000 in the scholarship fund by May.
   3. The idea of a 'Retirees' scholarship was discussed and sent to the committee to discuss further.
7. Grievance:
   1. Kevin Mahony, chairperson, reported that he presented two grievances to the board the evening of Monday, Nov. 26: one about high school faculty meetings running over time; and the other about compensation for overtime for security guards.
   2. Kevin noted that the high and middle schools received memos late yesterday indicating that they were to only take 30 minute lunches before the start of today's in-service workshops. Past practice has always allowed 45 minutes. Kevin is following up on this matter.
   3. Kevin also noted that a grievance for after schools meetings for Freeman School teachers is in the pipeline.
8. Negotiations:
   1. Barb reported that there is still no 'hard' copy of the teachers' contract. She and Jackie are still battling over wording.
   2. Marilyn reported no progress on the paras' contract talks.
   3. Barb indicated no progress on the security guards' contract talks.
   4. All PEA members are asked to continue to wear their blue t-shirts (or a blue shirt) in support of the paras & security guards on Fridays.
9. Legislative:
   1. Chuck noted that Gov. Corzine is expected to release the details of a new school funding formula this week. This will be a controversial piece of legislation as soon as the details are made public. Abbott schools are concerned about a loss of funding.
10. Constitution:
    1. Nadine, chairperson of the Constitution Committee, reviewed the report from the committee. Click here to read the report.
    2. Motion was made by Nadine and seconded by Chuck to accept the committee's report in its entirety. Passed unanimously.
    3. It was decided to wait until the January Executive Committee meeting to decide upon the mechanism to utilize for our members to discuss and vote on the changes.
11. Finance:
    1. Barb noted that the next meeting will be Thursday, January 3, at 3:30 in middle school room A105.
12. PD:
    1. Chuck reported that - nothing - is still happening (paradoxically.)

Building concerns:

1. The high school is concerned over the '30 minute lunch' time period that all of a sudden occurred for today's half-day workshop. Past practice has always allocated a 45 minute lunch time period.
2. Barber School expressed concerns about parental behaviors.
3. Green St. teachers have concerns over the amount of time they are being pulled out of their classrooms. A concern was also expressed about a confidential survey being copied.
4. Freeman School had concerns with the manner in which their custodian was replaced.
5. Andover-Morris School, as Green St., has concerns over the amount of time teachers are spending outside of their classrooms.

Old Business:

1. Open enrollment in the Prudential Disability Insurance program is just about up. Contact the Prudential Disability representative directly.
2. Don't forget about our Sick Leave Bank. If you can afford to donate a personal day (or two), please click here to download the donation form. Members who are benefitting from the Sick Leave Bank are very grateful for it and for our members who make it possible by donating their personal days to the bank.

New Business:

1. Freeman School is the first building in the district to receive keys to their classrooms. Other buildings will follow shortly according to Barb.
2. The Association won a new digital camera at the NJEA Convetion this year.
3. The TSA retirement program has been temporarily shelved by the board at this time. Barb is talking with the board about their concerns.
4. The Family Dental program is 'dead in the water' at this time. According to Bill Poch, board secretary, the reason is the prohibitive cost. Anyone willing to carry the torch on this matter further should contact Barb.

Motion to adjourn was made at 4:45 p.m. by Chuck and seconded by Kevin. Passed unanimously.

Next meeting January 8, 2008, @ PMS in library.

Respectfully submitted,

Chuck Nowalk, Secretary