NJEA Favors Teacher Cuts
One of the problems I have with the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) is that it operates as a political entity and does not care specifically about its members.
The union publishes Review 10 times annually. This four-color glossy magazine keys one into the mindset of the union. Presently, the president of NJEA is Joyce Powell. Ms. Powell was once a teacher in my district. I am not certain that she has taught during my career, but if she did, it has not been in the last decade. She has become the union, although I suspect she accrues a pension from the taxpayers still.
Nevertheless, one might think that because she has ties to my district, she might actually be considerate of those of us who are being cut from the budget. After all, isn’t that what a union is supposed to be concerned with?
Yet, Ms. Powell wrote in her President’s Message of the April 2007 Review (page six):
NJEA members can make the difference this year. If all 200,000 of us, along
with our families and friends, head to the polls on April 17 to vote in favor of our local school budgets, schools across the state will benefit.So please—for your students, for your colleagues and for yourself—take time to vote ‘yes’ on your local school budget.
For your colleagues and for yourself—take time to vote ‘yes’ on your local school budget? Huh?
If everyone in Vineland votes ‘yes’ on the budget, they are voting to put 77 teachers on the street. They will be voting to reduce the size of the union. They will be voting to reduce the amount of money NJEA makes.
Is that really the position the president of the teachers’ union wants to make publicly?
Also blogged on this date . . .
- Self Portrait - 2008
- "From my cold, dead hands!" - 2008
- Blessing - 2007
- Coming Soon . . . - 2006
- Wilkerson Hits for Cycle As Nats Hand Phils First Lost - 2005
By Ken Adams on Apr 6, 2007
Consider the alternative, Bob. If the voters reject the budget, it goes to the local governing authority for revision. They will likely cut the budget even further and return it to the school board.
Unless, of course, you’re in an Abbot district. In that case, I’m not sure what happens process-wise, but it sounds like asking the state for more money this year will result in a severe financial proctology exam.
I think you may be in a lose-lose situation. The only thing that’s certain is the NJEA does not care one bit about any individual teacher.
By Bob on Apr 6, 2007
That’s the point. I am forced to join this union. I pay upwards of $1000 in dues. But when it comes down to it, NJEA cares not whether jobs are lost or not.
It’s hardly a union to be proud of.