2014 Selection Committee Training Information
If you've never been trained to serve on a Selection Committee and you'd like to play a role in the district's hiring process, then you need to attend one of our upcoming training sessions. Click the link below for full details.
2014 Selection Committee Training Information I’m proud to announce that the Executive Board of the Great Neck Teachers Association has voted unanimously to endorse the Stronger Together incumbent NYSUT officers. We are also endorsing Arthur Goldstein for Executive Vice President. We have no doubt that the best interests of our local and of NYSUT as a whole will be served by these five people. It’s important to note that this endorsement does not bind the votes of our eight delegates to the NYSUT RA. Our local does not work that way. We don’t allow slates of candidates to run as delegates, nor do we try to control who chooses to run. Some delegates are members of the Executive Board, others are not. One of our delegates is a retiree. All of the delegates run for election under the same rules, and our elections are open to all of our affiliated chapters: the Great Neck Teachers Association, Office Staff Association, Paraprofessionals Association, Adult Education Association, Per Diem Association, and the Great Neck Retired Educators Chapter. I emphasize all of this to make the point that our process for electing our delegation is as grassroots-driven, as representative, and as democratic as can be. Our delegation has paid close attention to this contested election for NYSUT officers. We’ve striven to be open-minded and to consider every bit of information we could find and share about all of the candidates and all of the issues. On Wednesday, March 5, all eight of us attended the Meet the Candidates forum at the Huntington Hilton on Long Island, and it became clear to us that the decisions we have to make are very easy, after all. We considered each of the candidates individually before discussing the two slates as a whole, recognizing that we might not wish to vote based on slate. However, we ended up agreeing that the contrast between the two groups was stark. The incumbent candidates on the Stronger Together team communicated a wealth of experience, calm confidence in their individual records, and most importantly, the ability to think strategically on behalf of our union, which we believe is crucial at this point in time. As a slate, they projected a thoughtful, coherent and cohesive voice. In our opinion, Arthur Goldstein would be an excellent addition to the NYSUT Executive Board, adding a fresh perspective. We have therefore agreed unanimously to cast Great Neck’s votes for Dick Iannuzzi, Maria Neira, Kathleen Donahue, Lee Cutler, and Arthur Goldstein on April 5, and these conclusions were enthusiastically endorsed by the GNTA Executive Board at its meeting on Thursday, March 6. In solidarity, Sheila Scimone, President Great Neck Teachers Association GNPS Superintendent Tom Dolan and Assistant Superintendent for Business John Powell addressed our Delegate Assembly on 2/27 to discuss next year's school budget and the impact of the tax cap on our district. They were invited by the DA in our ongoing effort to keep GNTA members informed about economic and education issues affecting Great Neck. DA meetings are open to all GNTA members. Check the schedule, and we hope to see you at the next meeting! GNTA's Retirement and End of Year Reception will be held at the Westbury Manor on Wednesday, May 28, 2014 from 4-6 p.m. More details soon! On Monday, April 28, 2014, GNTA will hold elections for its 2015 NYSUT and 2014 AFT delegates and alternates. Visit our Elections page for petitions and more information. There will be a workshop on retirement benefits available from the GNTA Benefit Trust Fund and GNTA's Retired Educators Chapter at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at the South Middle School Library. Click the link below for more information. Retirement Benefits Workshop Two school districts have recently settled new contracts. In September, Massapequa signed a 4-year agreement (2012-2016) for a 0% raise plus salary step increment in the first year and a 1% raise with salary step increments in the following 3 years. (However, in the contract’s middle 2 years, the increment increases don’t take effect until February of those years). Hicksville signed a 4-year contract (2013-1017) last November for a 1.5% raise plus increment in the first year; 1.5% raise in year 2 with no increment; 0.5% raise with half increment in year 3; and 1% raise with half increment in the final year of the agreement. Hicksville makes a 20% contribution to their health insurance; Massapequa chips in 15%. Get the latest changes to our benefits necessitated by the Affordable Care Act. Changes to the Benefit Plan There will be a retirement workshop in the South Middle School Library at 4 p.m. on Thursday, January 16. The information provided will be valuable for all teachers, teaching assistants, and administrators, regardless the stage of your career. Click the link below for more information or if you'd like to attend. NYSTRS Information Workshop 2014 Many GNTA members wore blue on Monday, 12/9 in solidarity with NYSUT's and AFT's Day of Action to reclaim the promise of public education. It was a day to speak out for
Here are some pictures from E.M. Baker, Village School, Parkville, and North Middle! On November 21, our Delegate Assembly voted unanimously to join the New York State Allies for Public Education in calling for the resignation of John King, New York State's Commissioner of Education. It has become increasingly clear that Dr. King remains deaf to the strong and legitimate concerns of parents, teachers, students and administrators regarding testing, APPR, and privacy issues in New York State.
The nation’s union-haters have a juicy new target, Detroit’s public employees, ever since the city became the largest in history to file for bankruptcy. In fact, politicians across the country are seizing on Detroit’s hard times as an excuse to trim public pensions closer to home. For them—and for bankers angling for a piece of the action—this could be the breakthrough they’ve been waiting for. Read the whole story from Mark Brenner's "Pension Theft Crime Wave" at www.labornotes.org In times of need, the GNTA Financial Aid Fund has been there to help our members recover from theft, fire, and damaging weather. Last year, the Fund substantially assisted no fewer than 10 members who suffered devastating losses from Hurricane Sandy. The Fund is separate from our dues and relies on non-tax deductible donations from our members. The GNTA Executive Board is asking for your help in replenishing the Fund. Please send your check, made out to the Great Neck Teachers Association Financial Aid Fund, to the Cottage. Thanks in advance for your generosity.
With a poster printer, a new top of the line laminator and much more, the AV Center is ready to help you decorate your classroom or create the material for that perfect lesson. Visit the AV Center online for more information. Members of GNTA and our affiliates attended NYSUT's Leadership Conference at Gurney's Inn in Montauk on October 25-27. We spent the weekend attending workshops on Leadership Styles, Member Mobilization & Strategic Planning, Communication Skills, Everything is Political, Frontline Representation, and learning how to Talk Back-Fight Back. Pictured from left: Rosita Williams, Jim Daszenski, Joan Lazaunik, Sheila Scimone, Kathy Andrews, and Jeff Bernstein. |
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