Week of January 3, 2022
Message from the President
Welcome back my friends! Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and relaxing break from school. As we turn a page to a new year, we continue to work towards new contracts for Food Service, Para-Educators, Secretaries, and Teachers.
Food Service Negotiations
I was hopeful that we were going to reach a tentative agreement on December 22nd, but we did not. That doesn't mean we aren't close, because we are almost there. There was a discussion around one of the remaining proposals that both sides felt needed some more research and information before continuing forward. We agreed to do our own data dive and reconvene in January. Ideally, we wouldn't be waiting until January 27th to meet, but there were scheduling conflicts on both sides with key members of the team, including me.
Teacher Negotiations - Mediation
As you have heard, both negotiations teams will meet with a mediator on Thursday, January 6th. We mutually agreed to a mediator we have used in the past. This is helpful because he knows Nashua - he knows the district, and he knows the Union. This will allow us to dive right into work towards a tentative agreement. When we do reach a tentative agreement, it is likely that we will hold a ratification meeting on a day that is not a Board of Education meeting. The Board meetings are starting at 6:00pm now, and we wouldn't be able to start our ratification meeting until 4:30pm because of the late schools. I don't want to rush through the presentation and limit questions. I don't have a date for a meeting yet, but once I do, I will send it out as soon as possible. Ahead of the meeting, you will also receive a confidential memo from me detailing all the proposed changes so you can digest it ahead of time. Here's hoping for a January ratification meeting!
A Message from AFT-NH President Deb Howes
As 2021 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you all for the incredible work you ALL do every day.
You have worked through this ongoing pandemic, repeatedly changing the way you work to meet whatever rules the policy makers came up with this month.
You have faced opposition to research proven mitigation measures backed by reputable public health authorities undermining your safety in the workplace.
You have stayed focused on serving your students – both K-12 and higher education - and your communities. Your work to reconnect with them and find a way to something closer to normal during this pandemic has been admirable.
And, of course, AFT-NH members working outside of education have faced the same turbulence.In our public library local, you have been essential in connecting community members to resources and information, whether virtually or in-person. You have also dealt with shifting modes of serving the public and changes in safety requirements. You have done so in a way that shows your dedication and professionalism that serves your patrons well.
In our police local, you have been steadfast, dedicated, and professional in serving your community, in-person, through this pandemic.
In our town and city employee locals, you have supported your communities, meeting their needs for public safety and a whole variety of tasks that town departments require to get things done. These are not always the most public facing jobs, but without you, the wheels might come off. (In some cases – literally!)
Many of you have said this has been the most difficult year you have worked through in your careers. The dissolution of civil norms over the past 2 years has reached many in our communities. You are seeing the effect that has had on the people that come through your doors. Still, you do your best to treat each one with the respect and care your job requires.
And even though it may seem like no one notices, it makes a difference to each and every student, patron, and community member you serve. You touch and improve their lives.
Thank you for everything you do!
Know Your Contract
Teacher Retirement Deadline Notice
Attention teachers considering retirement at the end of this school year!!!
Under Article 4.9A of the contract, in order to be eligible for your severance, you must submit a binding letter of retirement to the Superintendent no later than February 1, 2022.
I would also suggest that you set up an appointment with the New Hampshire Retirement System. In order to receive your severance, you must provide a copy of your first retirement check.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Winter Poetry
A PPT that has a wide range of different forms of poetry related to a Christmas/Winter theme. Also; you will find that it has activities for children in order to write their own Christmas/Winter poem.
Upcoming Events
- January 4th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, Central Office
- Executive Board, 4:00pm, via Zoom
- January 6th
- Teacher Contract Mediation, 10:00am, TBD
- January 8th
- Teacher Leaders, 9:00am, Union Office
- January 10th
- Building and Safety Committee, 4:00pm, via Zoom (email Gary Hoffman for the link vicepresident@nashuatu.org)
- Board of Education Organizational Meeting, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- January 11th
- Board of Directors, 4:15pm, via Zoom
- January 12th
- Early Release
- January 17th
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No School
- January 18th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, Central Office
- Executive Board/Superintendent Meeting, 4:00pm, Central Office
- January 25th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 9:00am, Central Office
- Internal Para-Educator Negotiations, 4:00pm, Union Office
- January 27th
- Food Service Negotiations, 2:00pm, via Zoom
