Message From Your President

Dear Colleagues,

Once again I must thank the negotiation team for all their efforts in securing a contract settlement that protected our medical insurance without making salary concessions as many locals throughout the county experienced. The contract is being finalized before going to print. 

On January 5, 2010, the NJ Commissioner of Education, Lucille Davy, spoke about the Race to the Top, a competitive grant program sponsored by the Federal Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). I joined Mr. Trethaway, Mr. Lorentzen plus several other superintendents, school board presidents, and local association presidents. It was in informational meeting to explain the application process. As President of the MTEA I did not sign this document. There are too many questions and no clear answers surrounding the grant. Local presidents throughout Ocean County did  not sign this document.  Additional information is available at njea.org.  

Another important issue is the federal health care excise tax on health plans. Any federal excise tax will amount to a tax increase for middle class workers and their families. NJEA opposes such a tax.  Call your senators to oppose any measures which contain an excise tax.  Visit the NJEA website to email your representatives.

The three school days which were missed due to inclement weather will be added to the end of the school year calendar as per Central Office.

Any staff member retiring this year, please contact your AR so  MTEA can offer you an application to OCREA. As parting gift the MTEA pays for the first years membership.

Congratulations to Melissa Capriotti, a 3rd grade teacher from MTES, who was be featured on the TV program Classroom Close-UP on February 4, 2010. Her project, "Civil Rights Museum," reflects a living civil rights museum. Students researched and modeled examples from the Civil rights movement.

Membership

You are reminded that to show your support for the association, two members (per building) are asked to sign up and attend Board of Education meetings.

 

Our retired members continue to advocate for teachers.