President's Message
January - February 2011
We all knew the quiet would not last forever and the fight over education and our conditions would renew.
With the governor's state of the state last week, it is clear now where we go from here.
Click here to read the text of Christie's speech: http://njnnewspublictv.wordpress.com/2011/01/11/stateofthestate/
And the NJEA response: https://www.njea.org/news/2011-01-11/christie-s-education-rhetoric-doesn-t-add-up
Vouchers, an attack on tenure as well as our pension and benefits that would cost each of us thousands more each year.
Clearly the governor and his supporters have seized on the economic times and used them to tap a nerve that has allowed them to sell a lie.
A lie that we are the ones responsible for the crisis and therefore must have the financial blame and resultant "shared sacrifice" placed squarely on our shoulders.
A lie that the public schools in NJ are failing and must be fixed. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Click here to read the facts check on Christie's speech: http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/commentary/fact-checking-gov-christies-state-of-the-state-address
And here to read an editorial criticizing the governor's tactics and plans: http:\\www.njea.org/news/2011-01-07/doblin-skewers-christie-in-column
Although the truth bears us out, we face an uphill battle to ensure that our rights are not trampled on, and the students that we serve get the best education that we can provide.
Our upcoming negotiations have already been framed by the board's announcement that as of now, they are not accounting for any raises in the 2011-2012 school year.
As you know, the board chose to hire a lawyer to conduct negotiations on their behalf.
They also chose to open negotiations with the Principals and The Supervisors Associations first.
So as such, the process to formally begin has been slowed and we have not yet met with the board's group.
Your team has been, and will continue to meet and formulate a plan of action and proposal.
We have redoubled our efforts to keep you all informed.
The plan is to send short updates as often as necessary so that everyone can keep up to date.
It is a vital that you know what is happening at all times so that you may stay active and engaged. Your support going forward is vital.
Things will not change simply because we want them to, or they should, and we hope someone else will do it for us.
It will take effort, and for your anticipated support, the leadership of the BREA thanks you.
-- Steve
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