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	Absent
Recording Secretary	Charles Nowalk	Present
Corresponding Secretary	Marilyn Shober	Present

3:30-4:15: Members spent time stuffing, licking, stamping, and labeling approximately 800 letters addressed to NJEA members living in the Phillipsburg area. These letters encourage the NJEA members to get out and vote for their local school budgets on Tuesday, April 15.

4:15-5:00: Elaine, Marilyn, and Mattie counted the votes from our ESP members on whether to consolidate the four separate units into one unit. YEAS: 164. NAYS: 14. Over 92% of our ESP members voted in favor of consolidating their four separate bargaining units into one.

RIFs: Barb provided handouts for all Executive Committee members on the procedures to be followed in case of RIFs for teachers and ESPs. Barb went over these papers and noted several items of interest.

Treasurer's Report: Barb presented the treasurer's report for March 2008. Motion to accept the treasurer's report was made by Chuck and seconded by Nadine. Passed unanimously.

Secretary's Report: Motion to accept the minutes of the March 11, 2008 meeting was made by Nadine and seconded by Matty. Passed unanimously.

Committee Reports:

1. Membership:
   1. No report.
2. Ed Council:
   1. Next meeting is May 7 at 7 p.m. at the board office.
   2. Please get all concerns to Barb by April 25.
3. Health & Safety:
   1. Marilyn noted that the next meeting is May 1.
4. WCEA:
   1. Sue Brooks & Susan Dalrymple reporting. Tomorrow night is the annual Legislative Dinner. April 23 is an ESP workshop. The Local Leaders' workshop held last week was worthwhile.
5. Social:
1. 37 people traveled to Philadelphia for the recent Racetrack trip.
2. Deli trip is scheduled for May 4 and is almost full.
3. Thursday, May 22, is the date of our annual 'Retirement Celebration'. Cost is $35.
4. Next school year's Welcome Back picnic will be held Tuesday, August 26, at 3:30 p.m. at Flynn's on the Hill. More details will be forthcoming.
6. Scholarship:
   1. The announcement of the PEA Scholarship program was made available to PHS seniors over a month ago. Deadline for applying is the beginning of May.
7. Grievance:
   1. Barb noted that three grievances have made it to mediation. The mediator informed us that the first two grievances are not winnable but we have a good chance on the third one. This is the grievance on behalf of the security guards for time-and-a-half pay.
8. Negotiations:
   1. Barb reported that a 'hard' copy of the teachers' contract should be available to building reps within a month. A copy of the contract - sans salary guides - will be posted on the PEA website. One provision of the new contract is that hard copies will NOT be made available to all members. The contract will be available on the district & PEA websites and people can download what they need from either website.
   2. Barb and members of the negotiations' committees will meet with board members and central office personnel tomorrow evening to receive details of a tentative 'buyout' for this year's retirees.
   3. 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. April 15 is School Elections day in NJ. All PEA members living in NJ are encouraged to get out and vote in favor of their local school budgets on this day.
   2. The NJ Senate passed 'paid' family leave legislation yesterday. It awaits the governor's signature. He has indicated that he will sign this legislation. It will take affect July 2009.
10. Constitution:
    1. Barb noted that she will present constitutional changes at an April 28 general membership meeting. The meeting will be held at the middle school at 4 p.m.
    2. Voting on the proposed constitutional changes will take place in each building on May 13. All active members are entitled to vote.
11. Finance:
    1. Next meeting date is Thursday, May 8, at 3:30.
12. PD:
    1. The committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 15 to develop PD plans for the next school year. Many suggestions/ideas were forwarded to Chuck to present to the committee.

Building concerns:

1. Aides noted that the last in-service workshop was very disappointing to them.

Old Business:

1. NJEA Abbott workshp is scheduled for April 26. Barb is looking for interested volunteers.

New Business:

1. The NJEA Summer Leadership workshop was discussed. Barb asked that all applications be turned into her by May 2.

Motion to adjourn was made at 5:40 p.m. by Chuck and seconded by Nadine. Passed unanimously.

Next meeting May 13, 2008, at 3:30 @ PMS in library.

Respectfully submitted,

Chuck Nowalk, Secretary