Embarking on a New Journey: Thanks for Your Support

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, I am making a career transition. My last day as a teacher in the Plainfield Public School District was Friday, and I am embarking on a new journey. I just wanted to say that it was my pleasure to be an Officer of the Plainfield Education Association, and I felt great pride in representing the interests of the teachers, support staff, and security personnel in the district.
 

In my new role, I plan to continue my pursuit of the Plainfield community's common goal of providing all of our residents, including our young people, with opportunities to be more active participants in our city through the Plainfield Division of Recreation.

Peace,

Roni

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! I hope you all have a restful holiday--see you in January!

Peace,

Roni

Happy Thanksgiving - Communal Sustenance

What does it mean to give thanks? It means to acknowledge all those in one's community who provide sustenance, both spiritually and materially. I am thankful for my children, my family, the loving support of my friends, my church, and all the other people I come in contact with on a personal as well as professional level.

As I reflect on the past year as a Vice-President of the PEA, I want to give thanks to all those members who supported me during my ordeal--read it here and here and here. We were triumphant, and due process has been confirmed as "the law of the land," so to speak. As someone who grew up in Plainfield, attended Plainfield public schools, and who teaches in the district, I am forever grateful for the community support I received and especially for the warm wishes from those who value dedication, openness, and ethical leadership. I want to reiterate something I wrote earlier this year as I pledge to continue to support my fellow Plainfield teachers, our support staff, and our security personnel:

I am proud to be a member and an elected officer (2nd Vice President) of an organization that speaks up for the interests of these employees of the public school system with reference to working conditions, pay and the protection of our rights of free association and speech in pursuit of the community's common goal of educating and nurturing our youth and preparing them to be informed, skilled and active participants in society at large.

Have a safe and relaxing holiday!

Peace,

Roni

NJEA Support for Buono; Update on My "Situation"

First, an update on my stand for 'fair treatment and due process' by the Plainfield Education Association (PEA). I want to thank both PEA members and those from the community who offered me words of encouragement during my stand. I remain a vice president of the Plainfield Education Association. I am not suspended. The Association’s failure to follow its own bylaws and provisions for due process under the Affiliate Agreement with the NJ Education Association have rendered the charges against me null and void.

So, on with the work of the Association!

Second, at Wednesday's Union County Education Association's annual Fall Focus meeting, the NJEA endorsed gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono and her running mate for Lieutenant Governor, Millie Silva. Sen. Buono was present and shared her vision for public education. What can you do to help? Watch, take action, and volunteer! Take a minute or two to watch the latest video, 'Public Education: Our Fight, Our Time' below:

Public Education. Our Fight. Our Time.

You can easily easily join the campaign. Go to the Garden State Forward website and click on the 'Join the Fight' or 'Join the Campaign' links for suggestions as to how you can help.

Third, come on out this Saturday, September 28, and join other NJEA members, family and friends to phone bank and canvass for the Buono/Silva team. As part of the statewide Day of Action, we will be gathering at the Plainfield Democratic Headquarters on West Front Street (next door to Dunkin' Donuts) from Noon to 6:00 PM to help I'll be there, and look forward to seeing you on Saturday.

Together, we can make a difference in November!

Peace,

 

Roni

 

 

First the verdict, then the trial. This is Justice?

The Plainfield Education Association's Executive Committee has the ability to suspend any of its officers for cause and recommend to the general membership that the  person be removed from office.

Due process would mean that the officer in question would have a complaint made against them by a member of the union (it could be an officer). That complaint would be heard by the Executive Committee, with the person against whom the complaint is made present and able to answer the complaint point-by-point in defending him or herself.

You would think.

But that is not the way this incident went down. The email below was sent to me by President Cardona on Tuesday, June 4 -- two weeks after the Executive Committee action was supposedly taken.

Here is the email sent by President Cardona on June 4. (Click to enlarge or print.)

I received an email from President Cardona on May 16, 2013 advising there would be an Association Representative meeting. It seems my name and a few others  were omitted, and we did not receive the original announcement. Later that day, I received a text message from President Cardona advising there was to be an 'emergency' meeting of the Executive Committee. When I replied, asking what was the agenda, Ms. Cardona never answered.

Because I had a conflict, I was unable to attend.

It appears that I was the topic of discussion at this meeting and that the suspension notice was the outcome. I do not know exactly who was in attendance. Though all the Executive Committee members' names (except mine) are listed on the email--implying all have agreed to the matter--I have been approached by some who said either they were not present and did not vote or they were present and did not support the suspension vote.

It is a cherished American constitutional right to face one's accuser. I have not been afforded that basic right of due process, and so I responded, as we shall see tomorrow. 

Peace,

Roni

Justice for one is justice for all.

Why I Am Fighting Charges of "Conduct Unbecoming': It's About Justice For All

As a teacher in the Plainfield Public Schools, I am a member of the district's bargaining

entity for teachers, support staff and security personnel, the Plainfield Education Association (PEA).

I am proud to be a member and an elected officer (2nd Vice President) of an organization that speaks up for the interests of these employees of the public school system with reference to working conditions, pay and the protection of our rights of free association and speech in pursuit of the community's common goal of educating and nurturing our youth and preparing them to be informed, skilled and active participants in society at large.

All this being said, I am disappointed that some leadership members of the PEA have chosen to bring charges of "conduct unbecoming" against me. Without any details about the exact nature of the complaint(s) or who is making them, I am being faced with a hearing before a Review Committee which has the power to recommend my removal from this elected office by the general membership.

Alternatively, I can resign and everything will go away.

I am ready to defend my conduct as a member and an elected officer of this union. I am going to insist on due process, decency and fair treatment. Too many members have suffered embarrassment and harassment in violation of their rights as PEA members and American citizens.

So, why am I fighting charges of "conduct unbecoming'? It's about Justice For All!

Peace,

Roni

NJEA Elections Results Announced!

Congratulations to Wendell Steinhauer, President, Marie Blistan, Vice President and Sean Spiller, Secretary/Treasurer. The leadership team elected for a two year term will take office in September.  A warm thanks to Barbara Keshisian, who has lead the NJEA through   the   recent challenges of charter schools, privatization, and teacher evaluation and tenure. Read the bios of the NJEA leadership  team here:

New Leadership Elected for NJEA

Sean Spiller, newly elected as treasurer, has the distinction of also serving as a Councilman in Montclair N.J. 

We need well informed advocates of Public Education in appointed and elected positions.   We must be at the table when legislation and policy affecting Public Education is developed.  The NJEA shares this belief. The NJEA Political Leadership Academy provides training for members interested in running for political office.   You can find information about the Academy here:

 

http://www.njea.org/issues-and-political-action/elections 

Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics offers Ready to Run, training for women.  See below link for next training opportunity.  NJEA has supported this program by offering scholarships to interested members. Call NJEA Governmental services 609-599-4561 for more information.
 

Rutgers - Center for Women and Politics - Ready to Run

Want to get involved?  A great place to start is your local school board. Petitions for districts that moved their elections to November are due June 4th. Petitions can be picked at the business office of your local board of education. 

In closing, I want to remind you that the Plainfield Education Association ballots for the run- off election between Katherine Cardona and Eric Jones  must be posted marked by Thursday, May 23, 2013.

Peace,

Roni