Meeting of the NASE Executive Committee

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 4:00

JFK Community Room

APPROVED 2/13/2024

click here to download

 

In Attendance: (26 participants)

Vanessa Coates-Cooney, Sharon Carlson, Laura St.Pierre, Ryan Parent, Jamie Lawrence, Kira Henninger, Kim Bowler, Hana Zayatz, Daria Steward, Danielle Kowal, Sara Churchill-Winsor, Veronica Douglas, Harrison Wallace, Karen Schiaffo, Erica Lamanna, Paula Rigano-Murray, Jennifer Hayden, Sara Simmons, Brian Bagdon, Nick Richert, Laila Copperansky, Sandy Bombard, Tammy LaChance, Kate Fontaine, Andrea Egitto, Helen Woods,

 

Excused:

Mark Baldwin, 

 

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

 

Item I: Call to Order – Check in

 

Item II: New Business

• None at this time

 

Item III: Secretary’s Report

• Title to be changed to “Executive Committee” from “Executive Board”

MOTION: to accept the Secretary’s Report with amendment

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sharon

Seconded by: Jennifer

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item IV:  Sub-Committees and PAL

• Volunteers are needed for:

• Social Committee
• Scholarship Committee
• Bylaws Committee
• Snacks – each building sign-up

 

Item V: Treasurer’s report – budget for FY24

MOTION: to accept the Treasurer’s Report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Paula

Seconded by: Kim

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item VI: Membership update

• 60 outstanding members overall
• 7 new members from last membership update
• Do have 8 new hires as of now

 

Item VII: NPS Budget season – Ten minute meetings in each building.

• The sneak peek was worse than bleak, worse have seen in a very long time
  • Mayor received a raise of 36% ($70,000)
• FY24 = $37,765,747 total budget and minusing the 1.2 million (was 1 x fund – not continuing to fund this for this year and moving forward) – 36,565,747; anticipated budget of FY25 = $42,897,127

• • Reporting will be needing 4% increase minus $1.2 million from the bailout from last year
    • This is less than what we need! $4.8 million budget gap!

• Thursday, December 15th at 6:30pm school committee meeting → please show up!!

• Read the language in your unit for the reduction in force in the contracts!!

• Show up to school committee meetings!!!

• • • Coming in person is more impactful. If you can’t join Zoom! SHOW UP!
    • Each school should sign up to go to a school committee meeting
    • Share out budget cuts are coming, not in writing → “Pay attention to the budget!” and “Watch the budget!” and “Show up to budget meetings!” 

• Document for strategy and talking points to support the schools (Thanks Kira!)

• Shared from Superintendent Budget Reporting out:
  • Central Office proposed cuts = $135,857
    • Reduce clerk position from 35 hours to 28 hours per week
    • Reduce another clerk from full time to half time (40,000)
    • Transportation $6,400
    • Reduce General Fund support of Cafe $23,000
    • SE clerical hours $9,700
    • Custodian uniforms $3,800
    • Extraordinary maintenance $10,000
    • PD $15,000
    • PD contracts $5,000
  • JFK proposed cuts = about $245,000
    • .5 PTE
    • 2 FTE
    • 1 FTE coach ESSER
    • Tech integration specialist (retiring and now being replaced)
  • Bridge Street proposed cuts = about $197,000
    • 1 para
    • 1 FTE TSS
    • 1 interventionist
    • 1 title 1 reading (.8 instead of 1.0)
  • Jackson Street proposed cuts = about $261,000
    • 3 FTE teachers
    • 1 para
    • Not adding a planned SAC
  • Leeds proposed cuts = about $245,000
    • 2 SE teacher
    • 1 teacher
    • 1 para
    • .5 library para
  • Ryan Road proposed cuts = about $134,00
    • 1 Para
    • .5 para
    • 1 SE teacher
    • Reducing a building sub
  • NHS proposed cuts = about $336,000
    • 3 teachers
    • 1 adjustment counselor

Item VIII: NHS Safety

• Freshman were not being held accountable in the beginning of the room and now is spreading throughout the entire school
• 4 shelter in place in the last 3 days as well as cops called
• No suspensions as of this moment
• Superintendent has not been in the building
• A grievance has been written and is being filed as of 12/12/2023 morning on behalf of all of Unit A and Unit C

Item IX: Adjourn

MOTION: to adjourn.

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sara

Seconded by: Veronica

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Upcoming meetings:

January 2, Executive Board meeting – 4:00, Ryan Road School

January 3, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

January 9, Executive Committee Meeting – 4:00 JFK Community Room – BSS brings snacks

SAVE THE DATE – Wednesday April 24, 2024 – NASE Annual Meeting – 3:30 Snacks, 4:00 Meeting

Membership Coordinator Report for EC Meeting 12/12/23 

• 538 NASE members for all 8 units
• 6 New members in November
  • Unit A=1
  • Unit C=2
  • Unit E=1
  • Unit F=2

2 joined from Staff that weren’t already members (NHS & JSS)   Now 60 outstanding

4 out of 15 new hires joined (JSS, NHS & JFK)

Thank you to Executive Committee members for your work welcoming and supporting staff.

Karen Schiaffo

NASE Membership Coordinator 

RKF/RR School Nurse & Building Delegate

schiaffo89@gmail.com

413-320-3608 

12/12/23

 

Meeting of the NASE Executive Board

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Room 200, Ryan Road Elementary School

APPROVED 2/6/2024

click here to download

 

In Attendance: (14 participants)

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

 

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

 

Item I: Call to Order and New Business

• • Clerical wants to address the memo from Superintendent that offices need to be staffed during the vacation week
  • Crossing guards would like to join the union (work 20 hours). Could they be in Unit F, since similar student facing as bus drivers in this unit? Or could in Unit C? 
    • Talking to Jason about our next steps
  • Everything seems calm at the high school. If things ramp up again as before break, what should be done? What does the union feel about SRO in the high school? The union stance will be to support student/faculty safety and will continue to push for this.
  • Bylaws need to be done by next month to then be presented by March to have for a month to review and discuss

• Bylaws will be a primary focus of the February EB Meeting

Item II: Secretary’s Report

MOTION: to accept the Secretary’s Report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sharon

Seconded by: Kate

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item III:  Treasurer’s report 

• Budget for FY24
• Debits = Dues collection, NPS scholarship, ADP fees, stipends cashed, mail chimp

MOTION: to accept the Treasurer’s Report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Kate

Seconded by: Paula

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item IV: Officer Reports

• How should we share and disseminate information from officers to the EB/EC?
  • Option 1: Do what we have been doing
  • Option 2: Do a quick share at the EB meetings and secretary types up and get automatically included for EC agenda
  • Option 3: Do a quick share at the EC meeting
• Picked Option 2 → starting as of 1/2/2024

 

Item V: NPS Budget next steps

• Please continue to come out, speak out and represent for NASE/NPS at School Committee meetings
• One of the next steps could be the same drafted letter from previous years to send out to members
• Smith should be paying their fair share. This could be an area members get involved with
• We should talk with School Committee Members around school needs and pushing for Northampton Education is important to the community

Item VI: Adjourn

MOTION: to adjourn.

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Heather

Seconded by: Kate

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Upcoming meetings

January 3, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

January 9, Executive Committee meeting 4:00- JFK Community Room – BSS will provide snacks

February 6, Executive Board meeting – 4:00, Ryan Road School

February 7, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

February 13, Executive Committee meeting 4:00 – Smith Voc. Cafeteria – SVAHS will provide snacks

 

Save the Date – NASE Annual Meeting – Wednesday, April 24, 3:30 refreshments

Officer Reports

Teachers (Unit A)

Dealing with health and safety issues at NHS as well as the lack of management at JSS. Both have multiple grievances. We are organizing around upcoming budget cuts and encourage members to speak out at the next School Committee meeting. 

 

Admin (Unit B)

Overwhelmed with NHS students behaviors and managing consequences. A grievance has been filed.

 

ESPs (Unit C)

Working on navigating held unit a/c joint safety grievances and speaking out on we’ve been working on supporting members to navigate building/personnel issues. Recently held a Unit A and C meeting at NHS which subsequently led to a joint safety grievance at NHS. We are organizing around upcoming budget cuts and encourage members to speak out at the next School Committee meeting. 

 

SVAHS (Unit D)

Little to report. There was a past bullying investigation by administration (SVAHS Principal) which found the bullying to be unfounded and feels as though the investigation is valid.

 

Clerical: (Unit E)

The grievance at NHS went to level 3. Looking to discuss the office staffing memo that was sent out from the superintendent last week.

 

Custodian (Unit F)

The buildings are short staffed so feeling very bare bones in this unit. Still looking for clarification on the snow day grievance – nothing has gotten paid for this.

 

Cafeteria (Unit G)

Nothing to report

 

SVHS (Unit H)

Nothing to report

 

PR&R 

1. Clerical – now moved up to a level 3, (2) JSS – lack of management and (3) NHS – health and safety issues

 

Membership Coordinator

6 new people in November and 1 one new member in December

 

Communications Coordinator

Nothing to report

 

President’s and Vice President’s Report

We have been working on several grievances including meetings with members, MTA representatives, and district administrators; meeting with members and others about the budget projections, checking into membership for crossing guards, and are planning to attend the Western Mass All Presidents meeting in January. 

 

Meeting of the NASE Executive Board

December 5, 2023

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

Room 200, Ryan Road Elementary School

APPROVED 1/2/2024

click here to download

 

In Attendance: (12 participants)

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

 

Andrea calls the meeting to order at 3:58 pm.

 

Item I:  Call to Order and New Business

• NASE NPS is the deduction code on paychecks for dues this school year. NASE to date is for last school year code and NASE NPS to date with the new model of twice a month code
• SVAHS had the President of MTA visit the school 12/4 to learn more about vocational school. Discussed Thrive Act committee does not have any vocational representation. Discussed the Windfall Exemption. Discussed MCAS requirements as well
• By Law Committee would like to report out in January, preview for changes will include making definitions and quorum requirements
• Holding a Unit A and unit C meeting at NHS on Wednesday 12/13 around lack of consequences and accountability with students. Hope to write a letter to the Principal with signatures from members
• Crossing guards membership update: Could be members under (option 1) Unit F, (option 2) Unit C sub-unit with their own coordinator, or (option 3) make a new unit for transportation. Most likely will be members unit Unit F based on communication with Jason
• Update on start times: Will have a google forms sent out around the new start times for schools. Seems to have a large push to go back to original times for transportation needs and finances.
• Members need to show up to school committee meetings. Put your zoom no video screen with your name and NASE. Share this with caregivers to show up!

Item II:  Secretary’s Report

MOTION: to accept the Secretary’s Report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Paula

Seconded by: Erica

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item III: Treasurer’s report 

• Budget for FY24
• Some checks did not get deposited/cashed, will see this increase next month report

MOTION: to accept the Treasurer’s Report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Kate

Seconded by: Tammy

Motion Approved: unanimously

Item IV: NPS Budget

• Budget freeze is coming
  • Includes hiring freeze
• The city council is communicating the need for education monies
• The Mayor is not counting on giving more monies as she did ‘bail out’ the 23-24 school year
• Will be making an appointment with Rachel around budgeting for NPS monies
• Meeting with Emily 1.8 million was the budget deficit from last school year and the mayor ‘bailed us out’ with 1.2 million. Not asking the Mayor to keep bailing us out so that we are not being crippled and rebuilding the school choice fund. The Mayor is not planning to do the same bail out as previous for this budget season.

Item V: Adjourn

MOTION: to adjourn.

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Kate

Seconded by: Tammy

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Upcoming meetings:

December 6, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

December 12, Executive Committee meeting 4:00 – JFK Community room

January 2, Executive Board meeting – 4:00, Ryan Road School

January 3, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

January 9, Executive Committee meeting 4:00- JFK Community Room

Meeting of the NASE Executive Committee

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 4:00

JFK Community Room

APPROVED 1/9/2024

click here to download

 

In Attendance: (26 participants)

Vanessa Coates-Cooney, Sharon Carlson, Laura St.Pierre, Ryan Parent, Jamie Lawrence, Kira Henninger, Kim Bowler, Hana Zayatz, Daria Steward, Danielle Kowal, Sara Churchill-Winsor, Veronica Douglas, Harrison Wallace, Karen Schiaffo, Erica Lamanna, Paula Rigano-Murray, Jennifer Hayden, Sara Simmons, Brian Bagdon, Nick Richert, Laila Copperansky, Sandy Bombard, Tammy LaChance, Kate Fontaine, Andrea Egitto, Helen Woods,

 

Excused:

Mark Baldwin, 

 

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

 

Item I: Call to Order – Check in

 

Item II: New Business

• None at this time

 

Item III: Secretary’s Report

• Title to be changed to “Executive Committee” from “Executive Board”

MOTION: to accept the Secretary’s Report with amendment

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sharon

Seconded by: Jennifer

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item IV:  Sub-Committees and PAL

• Volunteers are needed for:

• Social Committee
• Scholarship Committee
• Bylaws Committee
• Snacks – each building sign-up

 

Item V: Treasurer’s report – budget for FY24

MOTION: to accept the Treasurer’s Report 

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Paula

Seconded by: Kim

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Item VI: Membership update

• 60 outstanding members overall
• 7 new members from last membership update
• Do have 8 new hires as of now

 

Item VII: NPS Budget season – Ten minute meetings in each building.

• The sneak peek was worse than bleak, worse have seen in a very long time
  • Mayor received a raise of 36% ($70,000)
• FY24 = $37,765,747 total budget and minusing the 1.2 million (was 1 x fund – not continuing to fund this for this year and moving forward) – 36,565,747; anticipated budget of FY25 = $42,897,127

• • Reporting will be needing 4% increase minus $1.2 million from the bailout from last year
    • This is less than what we need! $4.8 million budget gap!

• Thursday, December 15th at 6:30pm school committee meeting → please show up!!

• Read the language in your unit for the reduction in force in the contracts!!

• Show up to school committee meetings!!!

• • • Coming in person is more impactful. If you can’t join Zoom! SHOW UP!
    • Each school should sign up to go to a school committee meeting
    • Share out budget cuts are coming, not in writing → “Pay attention to the budget!” and “Watch the budget!” and “Show up to budget meetings!” 

• Document for strategy and talking points to support the schools (Thanks Kira!)

• Shared from Superintendent Budget Reporting out:
  • Central Office proposed cuts = $135,857
    • Reduce clerk position from 35 hours to 28 hours per week
    • Reduce another clerk from full time to half time (40,000)
    • Transportation $6,400
    • Reduce General Fund support of Cafe $23,000
    • SE clerical hours $9,700
    • Custodian uniforms $3,800
    • Extraordinary maintenance $10,000
    • PD $15,000
    • PD contracts $5,000
  • JFK proposed cuts = about $245,000
    • .5 PTE
    • 2 FTE
    • 1 FTE coach ESSER
    • Tech integration specialist (retiring and now being replaced)
  • Bridge Street proposed cuts = about $197,000
    • 1 para
    • 1 FTE TSS
    • 1 interventionist
    • 1 title 1 reading (.8 instead of 1.0)
  • Jackson Street proposed cuts = about $261,000
    • 3 FTE teachers
    • 1 para
    • Not adding a planned SAC
  • Leeds proposed cuts = about $245,000
    • 2 SE teacher
    • 1 teacher
    • 1 para
    • .5 library para
  • Ryan Road proposed cuts = about $134,00
    • 1 Para
    • .5 para
    • 1 SE teacher
    • Reducing a building sub
  • NHS proposed cuts = about $336,000
    • 3 teachers
    • 1 adjustment counselor

Item VIII: NHS Safety

• Freshman were not being held accountable in the beginning of the room and now is spreading throughout the entire school
• 4 shelter in place in the last 3 days as well as cops called
• No suspensions as of this moment
• Superintendent has not been in the building
• A grievance has been written and is being filed as of 12/12/2023 morning on behalf of all of Unit A and Unit C

Item IX: Adjourn

MOTION: to adjourn.

Entertained by: Andrea

Moved by: Sara

Seconded by: Veronica

Motion Approved: unanimously

 

Upcoming meetings:

January 2, Executive Board meeting – 4:00, Ryan Road School

January 3, NASE meeting with NPS superintendent

January 9, Executive Committee Meeting – 4:00 JFK Community Room – BSS brings snacks

SAVE THE DATE – Wednesday April 24, 2024 – NASE Annual Meeting – 3:30 Snacks, 4:00 Meeting

 

Membership Coordinator Report for EC Meeting 12/12/23 

• 538 NASE members for all 8 units
• 6 New members in November
  • Unit A=1
  • Unit C=2
  • Unit E=1
  • Unit F=2

2 joined from Staff that weren’t already members (NHS & JSS)   Now 60 outstanding

4 out of 15 new hires joined (JSS, NHS & JFK)

Thank you to Executive Committee members for your work welcoming and supporting staff.

Karen Schiaffo

NASE Membership Coordinator 

RKF/RR School Nurse & Building Delegate

schiaffo89@gmail.com

413-320-3608 

12/12/23