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

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

Secretary's Report: Motion to accept the minutes of the December 11, 2007 meeting was made by Deb and seconded by Matty. Passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

1. Membership:
   1. Barb noted that over 50 new members have been enrolled since September.
2. Ed Council:
   1. Chuck reported on problems with cellular 911 calls around the school district. People should call the Phillipsburg police station directly at 454-1121.
   2. Every classroom teacher should have keys for their classrooms shortly.
3. Health & Safety:
   1. Marilyn noted that the next meeting is 'in the works'.
4. WCEA:
   1. 'Retirement' workshop on Jan. 30 at Harker's Hollow Golf Club. Send Marilyn Shober an e-mail if you wish to attend.
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 the men's & women's shirts should come in this Friday, Jan. 11.
   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.
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 also noted that a grievance for after school meetings for Freeman School teachers will be presented to the board this coming Monday, Jan. 14.
8. Negotiations:
   1. Barb reported that there is still no 'hard' copy of the teachers' contract. She and Jackie are battling over the wording - still.
   2. No progress on the paras' contract talks.
   3. 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 the NJ legislature yesterday passed the new funding formula which will infuse an extra $500 million into the education budgets of school districts statewide. The controversial legislation passed by one vote in each of the houses of the legislature.
10. Constitution:
    1. It was decided to wait until the April general membership meeting to decide upon the mechanism to utilize for our members to discuss and vote on the changes.
11. Finance:
    1. Melissa Fey, chairperson, and Nadine Anderson, ex-treasurer, are out sick so nothing new to report.
12. PD:
    1. Chuck reported that the committee met for the first time in over a year last week. Every certificated staff member must take an online-survey by this Friday. The committee will meet in another two weeks to tally & collate the results of the survey for the district's state-mandated PD plan.

Building concerns:

1. The aides noted that the annual NJEA ESP conference is Feb. 29 thru March 2. The cost is $190/person. Chuck moved and Deb Carty seconded that $570 be set aside for up to three (3) ESP members to attend the conference. Passed unanimously.
2. Freeman expressed concerns over the SLC making suggested cuts in personnel at their building.
3. Secretaries expressed concerns about certain working conditions.
4. The ECLC expressed concerns over the transfer of a popular security guard and that the 'BrightLine' online-survey takes more than 30 minutes to complete.
5. The high school expressed concerns over the school's 'Behavior Conduct Report'. Staff members who lost time on the half day in December travelling to the middle school will be compensated for 10 minutes travelling time.
6. Green St. inquired about the documentation for our in-service training in August 2007. It is coming.
7. Security concerns included the transfer of the guard from the ECLC, coverage at sporting events, and district-provided pants as part of their uniform.

Old Business:

1. In June 2006, we entered into a relationship with BJ's Club. This relationship expires the end of this month. An attempt will be made to contact the BJ individual who initially contacted us to see about an extension.

New Business:

1. The district spelling bee starts this week with the finals coming next week.
2. Federal legislation passed in December 2006 requires the district to keep records of all Internet and e-mail transactions in the district. A reminder to all our members to utilize the district's technology for professional purposes only. No personal use of the district's technology is permitted as outlined in the district's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). Click here to view an abridged version of the district's AUP on the PEA website.

Motion to adjourn was made at 5:10 p.m. by Deb Tucker-Frank and seconded by Mattie. Passed unanimously.

Next meeting February 12, 2008, at 3:30 @ PMS in library.

Respectfully submitted,

Chuck Nowalk, Secretary