APPROVED 3/7/2023

Meeting of the NASE Executive Board

Click here to download

Tuesday,  February 7, 4:00

Ryan Road School – Room 200

In Attendance: (12 participants)

Andrea Egitto, Karen Schiaffo, Paula Rigano-Murray, Vanessa Coates-Cooney, Tammy Cook, Kim Bowler, Heather Brown, Kate Fontaine, Sharon Carlson, Erica Lamanna, Sara Churchill-Winsor, Cyndie Ouimette,

Andrea calls the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.

Item I: Call to Order – Check-in

Item II: New Business

• Delegates needed for MTA annual meeting in Springfield MGM
  • Paula Rigano-Murray, Sharon Carlson, Heather Brown, Sara Churchill-Winsor, Andrea Egitto, Karen Schiaffo
  • Usually have 11 slots, if we have more than that who want to go then we need to have an election
  • Date moved up to last week of April
• Email from Glenda about once every seven years we have 27 paid Thursdays in the year and we only get 26 pay periods this year, which will affect members → to be shared at the next EC meeting
  • This results in 4 weeks without a pay period
  • Thursday, August 17th will be 26th pay of 22-23 school year
  • Missing the August 31st
  • Thursday, September 14th will be the 1st pay of the 23-24 school year
• SVAHS negotiations update
  • Unit H is still currently negotiating 
  • Waiting for Crystal to print and send to Cyndie for signatures
• Contracts are printed and in place at the buildings
• Set up an information mail chain (MailChimp) to members to be more streamlined for upcoming meetings, important items discussed at EC meetings, ect. to personal emails → secretary to oversee and set up
• NASE annual meeting will be the Wednesday after April break –  April 26th at 4:00 to be at SVAHS cafeteria
  • We will provide snacks

Item III:   Secretary’s Report

MOTION: to accept the secretary’s report

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Paula

Seconded by: Kate

Motion Approved: unanimously

Item IV: Treasurer’s report – Present budget as amended – budget for FY23

• Winter Skills conference: reimbursement for expenses
• If needing a new W2 go on to ADP
• Concerns with incorrect W2s are being corrected and sent back out
• Is there a mileage reimbursement form for the conference?
  • This will be looked into for price per mile

MOTION: to accept the treasurer’s report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Paula

Seconded by: Sara

Motion Approved: unanimously

Item V: NPS budget

• Superintendent to share out budget to School Committee coming up
• Shared at ALT meeting with administrators
  • Shared out: reduction in force notice needs to be notified on appropriate timelines around Unit A and Unit C
• NASE push will have to be towards city council and city council meetings

Item VI: Smith Voc (SVAHS) budget

• Budget hearing seemed to go well when presented

Item VII: Adjourn 

MOTION: to adjourn.

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Kate

Seconded by: Paula

Motion Approved: unanimously

Upcoming meeting

February 14, 4:00 Executive Committee Meeting – JFK Community Room – NHS provides snacks

March 7, 4:00 Executive Board Meeting – Ryan Rd. Room 200

March 14, 4:00 Executive Committee Meeting – JFK Community Room – BSS provides snacks

Officer Reports

President’s and Vice President’s Report

This past month we finalized a few agreements with management and discussed a few pre-grievance items for several different units. We met with both the superintendent and the new NHS principal to further collaboration. 

We attended the MTA regional leadership meeting in Jan. doing some brainstorming and networking. 

We also attended the initial district budget meeting to continue trying to avert painful cuts.

Click here to download Minutes

Meeting of the NASE Executive Committee

Tuesday,  December 13, 4:00

Smith Voc Restaurant

In Attendance: (24 participants)

Andrea Egitto, Vanessa Coates-Cooney, Paula Rigano-Murray, Sharon Carlson, Heather Brown, Kimberly Bowler, Kate Fontaine, Karen Schiaffo, Jennifer Hayden, Mareatha Wallace, Jamie Lawrence, Kira Henninger, Veronica Douglas, Sandy Bombard, Noah Galko, Erica Lamanna, Ryan Parent, Leslie Skantz-Hodgson, Cyndie Ouimette, Deirdre Johnson, Helen Woods, Kevin Schmit, Susan Rees, Ellen Brown

Excused Attendance:

Sara Churchill-Winsor, Erica Caron, Daria Steward

Andrea calls the meeting to order at 4:01 pm.

Item I: Call to Order – Check-in

• Please sign in

Item II: New Business

• **FOR JANUARY MEETING: Could meetings for EC be changed to have separate meetings per building for a few months then a bigger district meeting? Maybe district based? Possibly have NPS EC and SVAHS EC then come together at the EB meeting with possible quarterly NPS and SVAHS EC? Then notes be passed along to be put together.
• Would like to revisit for the policy to deal with non discrimination/hate speech, the language around symbols were taken out as well as language for consequences/accountability
  • Large concerns with this happening at JFK
  • If someone can go to the next rules and policy committee meeting to start this conversation, conversations with interim superintendent, and school committee
• Clarify arrival time is 7:45 or is it 10 minutes before the start time bell of 8:00?
  • Unit A teachers are 7:50 and Unit C Paras are 7:25

Item III: Secretary’s Report

• The 10/2022 EC minutes were approved at the 11/2022 EC meeting
• Majority of the are ok with voting without the minutes in paper copy available
• Amendments to be noted
  • Language of line stating “PD seemed to be misorganized” changed to “PD seemed to be disorganized”

MOTION: to accept the secretary’s report as amended

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Heather

Seconded by: Erica

Motion Approved: unanimously

Item IV: Treasurer’s report – budget for FY23

• Amendments to be noted
  • SVAHS chapter coordinator changed to 2,000 from 2,500

MOTION: to accept the treasurer’s report as amended

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sharon

Seconded by: Mareatha

Motion Approved: unanimously

Item V:  IXL and other curriculum purchases. 

• Interim Superintendent is asking for what buildings need
  • Budget Requests – What is needed in your buildings form
  • Please fill in requests before we leave for December break
• The Vertical Reading Team have been researching DESE approved programs, which this one isn’t, to disregard is not okay
  • No PD or planning time to implement this as well
  • Communication about it was horrible and abysmal
    

Item VI: Membership Coordinator’s report 

• Check your emails for a list of new hires and existing staff members that have chosen to not become members
• Dues are now prorated when you join

Item VIII: Contracts 

• All NPS contracts are now live and on the website (pdf form), printing 2 per building
  • Will be in a big binder with tabs per unit → in the works
• Waiting to sign the SVAHS Unit D contract.

Unit A

Unit B

Unit C

Unit E

Unit F

Unit G

Item IX: Adjourn 

MOTION: to adjourn

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sharon

Seconded by: Helen

Motion Approved: unanimously

Upcoming meetings:

January 3, 4:00 Executive Board Meeting – Ryan Road

January  4, 3:45 Meeting with the Superintendent – Room 107 NHS

January 10, 4:00 Executive Committee Meeting – JFK Community Room

Officer Reports

ESPs (Unit C)

We have been busy working on several potential disciplinary actions at multiple buildings. We will be working on an MOA clarifying language around stipends including pay out dates. After concerns were brought forth about PD, we are with the Collaborative to have 90 minutes of PD and 30 minutes for building para meetings, classroom tasks, etc. on half day PD days. Finally, no Unit A member has volunteered to be the PD Committee co-chair so Mareatha Wallace has been appointed. Thank you for stepping up. 

Cafeteria (Unit G)

Nothing to report.

PR&R 

(DEC. 2022) The Chair has been addressing issues within JFK, dealing with, but not limited to, meeting with the admin to address staff concerns, and meeting to discuss potential disciplinary issues with members.  The Chair has been meeting with Student Services admin and a member to discuss teacher duties, responsibilities, and their role.

A level 2 grievance was filed with the superintendent due to the non-renewal of a teacher during an extended leave. The meeting was attended by Kate Fontaine, Teacher Chapter Coordinator; Jason Mathis, MTA Field Rep; Layla Taylor, Attorney for the district; and Jannell Pearson-Campbell, Superintendent of Schools for NPS. We are waiting on a response to the hearing from the Superintendent and attorney for the district. The Chair has been answering member questions dealing with the Contract.

The Chair has been addressing concerns at different buildings. There are issues that could have become grievances (but were resolved in the pre-grievance process), issues that were directed elsewhere, or issues that will become grievances (early stages of information sharing at this time). Also, the Chair has assisted in issues that were not grievable. 

Membership Coordinator

• 67 new members joined so far this year (21 since October EC meeting)
• 21 new members:  10 Smith Voc, 5 Unit A, 5 Unit C, 1 Unit E
• Unit breakdown:
  • Unit A (Teachers +) = 31
  • Unit B (Admin) = 1
  • Unit C (ESPs/Paras) =  17
  • Unit D (SV) = 10
  • Unit E (Clerical) = 2
  • Unit F (Custodians/Bus Drivers) = 3
  • Unit G (Cafeteria) = 3

      There are approx. 530 NASE members 

(this number changes since there are rolling hires and separations throughout the year) 

• Please check in with new staff about joining NASE: check recent email for list
• Encourage existing NPS staff to join NASE:  see separate email for that list
• Discuss benefits of NASE membership, hand out brag sheets
• Post brag sheet in break rooms
• Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns

Thank you all for your diligent work welcoming and supporting staff and encouraging all employees to join!

Karen Schiaffo

NASE Membership Coordinator 

RKF/RR School Nurse

schiaffo89@gmail.com

413-320-3608 

12/13/22

Communications Coordinator

Latest meeting minutes have been posted as well as all new contracts.

Communication: Please send photos, links to articles on NPS, or information to share to Nasepublications@gmail.com

President’s and Vice President’s Report

This past month we have met with Interim Superintendent about ongoing issues in several buildings, are working on getting Memos of Agreement on some issues to help members,

and have met with other administrators to help uphold the contract. Attended the school committee meeting and forums to meet the candidate for NHS principal.

We have consulted regarding several members who needed assistance of MTA legal services and worked on PD issues. 

Meeting of the NASE Executive Committee of Delegates

Tuesday, November 8, 3:30 Meeting Minutes of the NASE Executive Committee of Delegates

JFK Community Room

In Attendance: (22 participants)

Vanessa Coates-Cooney, Paula Rigano-Murray, Sharon Carlson, Sara M Churchill-Winsor, Heather Brown, Kimberly Bowler, Brian Bagdon, Kate Fontaine, Erica Caron, John Selfridge, Karen Schiaffo, Laura St. Pierre, Jennifer Hayden, Mareatha Wallace, Jamie Lawrence, Kira Henninger, Kevin Schmith, Veronica Douglas, Sara Simmons, Sandy Bombard, Noah Galko, Erica Lamanna, 

Excused Attendance:

Helen Woods, Ellen Brown, Daria Steward

Heather calls the meeting to order at 3:36 pm.

Item I: Call to Order – Check-in

• PD seemed to be disorganized
• Keynote speakers seemed to be interesting, enjoyed the break out sessions per school
• Allowed PD at high school level to teach each other

Item II: New Business

• Possible MOA? might be cut in future budget cuts and would get their previous position secured so their job is not in jeopardy – ETLs, IT
• Superintendent came to JFK faculty meeting to talk about budget and the direness
• Co-chair of Unit A that is also a NASE member needs to step up, if no Unit A could Unit C step up? Seems to be a Unit C member willing to step up
• Concerns with Paras being pulled so much to cover/sub classroom as well as not being in compliance with IEP needs
  • Administration is aware of this concern, about 30 subs waiting to be hired from HR, document when services are being missed

Click here to download minutes

Meeting of the NASE Executive Committee of Delegates

Tuesday, October 11th, 4:00

JFK Community Room

In Attendance: (28 participants)

Tammy Cook, Sharon Carlson, Leslie Skantz-Hodgson, Kira Henninger, John Selfridge, Mark Baldwin, Deirdre Johnson, Susan Rees, Jenninfer Hayden, Erica Caron, Cyndie Ouimette, Kim Bowler, Erica Lamanna, Paula Rigano-Murray, Vanessa Coates-Cooney, Heather Brown, Kevin Schmith, Helen Woods, Laila Copperansky, Noah Galko, Sandy Bombard, Daria Steward, Andrea Egitto, Jeromie Whalen, Veronica Douglas, Karen Schiaffo, Kate Fontaine, Laura St. Pierre

Andrea calls the meeting to order at 4:04pm.

Item I: Call to Order

• Welcome, introductions and attendance

Item II: Delegates Training

• Taylor Brennan (MTA Regional Director) filling in for Jason for MTA

Upcoming Meetings:

October 19, Phonebank – 5:00 – 8:00pm High Brow, Northampton

November 1, Executive Board

November 8, Executive Committee

Rescheduled – Tuesday, September 20, 4:00

4:00 Call to Order 

Welcome to new Officers and Chapter Coordinators and Delegates!

Go around the room and please say your name, position, and school.

4:10 New Business

4:15 Secretary’s Report – click to download minutes

4:20 – Sub-Committees and PAL (volunteers needed)

• Social Committee
• Scholarship Committee
• Stipend/Budget Committee
• Snacks – each building sign-up

4:30 Treasurer’s report – budget for FY23

4:40 Membership Coordinator’s report – plan for reaching out to new members.

4:45 Discuss delegate vacancies – reach out to people who may be interested. 

Delegates training October 11, 4:00 – 7:30 including dinner. Please plan to attend!

4:55  Fair Share Amendment – Jason

• Pick a date for a phone banking event.
• Packets delivered to schools

5:00 Adjourn

Upcoming meetings:

October 4, Executive Board meeting – 4:00, Ryan Road School

October 5, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

October 11, Executive Committee Delegates Training – 4:00-7:30 JFK Community Room

Officer Reports

Teachers (Unit A)

Admin (Unit B)

ESPs (Unit C)

Currently we are looking at scheduling a Unit C meeting at JSS. Working on a MOA at the high-school, due a scheduling issue for a Unit C member. There was disciplinary action taken against a member that is an on-going investigation. 

SVHS (Unit D)

Clerical: (Unit E)

Custodian (Unit F)

Cafeteria (Unit G)

I’m Kim Bowler, and I am the Head cook at NHS. I have recently taken on  Unit G Chapter Coordinator. I have been a NASE member since 2020. 

SVHS (Unit H)

PR&R – 9/2022

I have been busy connecting with new members and answering questions from members and administrators about the contract concerning preps and scheduling. 

There are no active grievances at this time. We discussed a clerical issue, but decided to discuss the issue with the new superintendent to make sure administrators are following all aspects of the contract when there are hires, transfers, and promotions. Please email me at sara24marie@gmail.com if there are any issues or concerns around contract adherence. 

Membership Coordinator

• 40 new members joined so far this year.
• Unit breakdown:
  • Unit A (Teachers +) = 23
  • Unit B (Admin) = 1
  • Unit C (ESPs/Paras) =  6
  • Unit E (Clerical) = 0
  • Unit F (Custodians/Bus Drivers) = 3
  • Unit G (Cafeteria) = 2 members = 2
• Please check in with new staff to see if they have questions about NASE
• Encourage them to join/review the benefits of membership
• Give them a brag sheet and membership packet
• Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns
• Let me know if you need packets or brag sheets.

Karen Schiaffo

NASE Membership Coordinator 

RKF/RR School Nurse

schiaffo89@gmail.com

413-320-3608 

9/13//22

Communications Coordinator

I’ve been working on revamping the website and making it more user friendly. Please share photos and news at nasepublications@gmail.com especially our Smith Voc colleagues! 

I also reactivated our Twitter feed, started an Instagram page and continue to maintain the Facebook page. All social media is linked at the bottom of the NASE home page at www.nasemta.org

President’s and Vice President’s Report

We spent time this past month finalizing all six contracts which involved meeting with negotiating sub-committee members and the interim superintendent to discuss the changes along with making sure all revisions are included. There was work on Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) for a few situations outside of the contracts, meetings with new district leaders, and meetings with MTA reps regarding the Fair Share Amendment. We secured some lawn signs to get things going before the start of school. To save on shipping costs for our new t-shirts, we took a road trip to our union print shop in Worcester. We provided lunch for new teachers at the New Teacher Orientation to inform them about NASE and the district. We spoke at the Western Mass. Area Labor Federation (WMALF) board meeting to share the wins we achieved in bargaining the NPS contracts.