Happy New Year!

I pray that this year will bring you great joy and prosperity in all of your endeavors.  It is awesome to start the New Year with a contract!!!  It took a while but we did it!!

I would like to thank the members of the EOEA who diligently worked, educated our children, and remained dedicated over this last negotiation period.  It takes a great deal of time, patience, and work to achieve reaching a fair and reasonable contract.  Our Negotiations Team did an excellent job pulling together and making sure that the membership was heard, and worked toward meeting the greater need as best as they possibly could have.  I cannot dismiss thanking our Honorable Mayor Ted Green for being a man of his word. He told us at that he wanted us to come to an agreement by December 2019 and assisted greatly in making sure that happened.  Also, I would like to thank the East Orange Board of Education President, Terry Tucker, for her efforts in ensuring that the process was properly carried out.  The EOEA and EOBOE worked in an amicable and effective manner in the last two months on coming to an agreement.  I hope in the future that this will be the nature and practice in which we will make strides in the district.

Members continue to stand unified in our efforts.  Let us uphold the contract by reading it.  I know that people are concerned with pay but also know about your work time schedule, evaluation process, extra compensation, workload, prep periods, and all those things that were fought for so that you are able to work in a suitable environment protected by rights.  Before you know it, we will be facing negotiations again.  So, begin now to think about the things that you feel are important to bring to the bargaining table for the next round.  Members, I do hope you enjoy the fruit of your labor in attaining our contract.

As always call the office or email me should you have any questions.  I look forward to hearing from you and I really mean that.

The next Superintendent’s Meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2020.  Please send your concerns and suggestions to the EOEA by January 23, 2020.