Week of December 12, 2022
Message from the President
Helping Our Colleagues
Since the start of the school year, our members have experienced some signficant losses and challenges outside of the workplace. This is not unique to the NTU or this school year, but something we face with each passing year. When some of these major events happen, the NTU is there to support the member(s) by reviewing contract language, assisting with contact Central Office, assisting with FMLA and sick bank paperwork, advocating for the member, and answering their many questions. We also want to be there to support our colleagues financially. Each school is awesome with how the rally around one of their own when something happens. The NTU has tried to contribute as well, but this can be a strain on the operating budget, where these types of donations come from. We have reallocated funding from one account to another at times, but with the frequency and need we are seeing, we cannot but the NTU at financial risk, so I will be be bringing a formal proposal forward to the Board of Directors tomorrow.
The NTU Relief Fund
On Tuesday, with the approval of the Executive Board, I will recommend to the Board of Directors that we form the NTU Relief Fund (working name), a new 501(c)3 non-profit overseen by the NTU. The purpose of the fund would be to help support NTU members who face a significant loss or challenge outside of the workplace. AFT currently has the AFT Disaster Relief Fund with full bylaws and guidelines; the NTU will be doing something similar in line with requirements for 501(c)3 non-profits and rules set by the State of New Hampshire. Mike Apfelberg, the President of the United Way of Greater Nashua, is going to help us with this process. The relief fund would set the bylaws with what is and isn't eligible, and would be open to NTU members only. Money in this fund would not come from dues after the initial establishment, but through fundraising and donations. Having a donation come out of your paycheck will also be an option! I am really excited about this new benefit for NTU members. As we move through this process, I will keep you updated.
Negotiations Updates
Secretary Negotiations Update
The Secretary Negotiations Team is scheduled to meet again on Tuesday, December 21st at 9:00am at Central Office. The Union is expecting a response from the Board on the last proposal.
Paraeducators will vote on December 19th
The Paraeducator Negotiations Team and the Board of Education reached a tentative agreement during mediation on Thursday, December 1st. The agreement is a three year deal and will be retroactive to July 1st. The actual details of the agreement will be released to member paraeducators no later than Friday, December 16th via email.
Ratification Meeting Scheduled
All paraeducators who members of the NTU are invited to attend the ratification meeting.
When: Monday, December 19th at 4:00pm
Where: Nashua High School North Auditorium
If you have any questions, please contact Adam (president@nashuatu.org).
Timeline for Ratification Process
This is a tentative schedule for the ratification process:
December 19th - NTU Ratification Meeting
December 19th - Board of Education Vote
January 2023 - Board of Aldermen 1st Reading
January 2023 - Budget Review Committee
January 2023 - Board of Aldermen Vote
February 2023 - Retro pay, steps, and new pay rates
Once there are finalized dates for the meetings mentioned above, I will share them with you.
Upcoming Solidarity Days
Less Leg More Heart iPad Raffle - LAST WEEK!
Less Leg More Heart works with families and Veterans in the greater Nashua who are amputees. This raffle will support their efforts to continue to help families and Veterans.
Have an idea for the Just for Fun section? Send it to Adam (president@nashuatu.org).
Let's go for a swim...
...in maple syrup, but a landslide. I wonder if it has to be New Hampshire maple syrup, Vermont, or is store bought ok, too?
Just for Fun
We have had a lot rain lately, and one of the storms was close to being snow...had the temperature cooperated. Yes, I said cooperated. I love snow, although, I prefer it to fall between Friday afternoon and Sunday morning as to not interfere with school. If it snowed tomorrow, and the snow was sticky, would you go out and make a snowperson?
Upcoming Events
- December 12th
- BOE Curriculum and Evaluation Meeting, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- December 13th
- Board of Directors, 4:15pm, Nashua High School North
- BOE Finance and Operations Committee Meeting, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- December 14th
- NTU President/Superintendent Meeting, 3:00pm, Central Office
- BOE Policy Committee Meeting, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- December 18th
- Happy Hanukkah!
- December 19th
- Paraeducator Ratification Meeting, 4:00pm, Nashua High School North Auditorium
- BOE Human Resources Committee, 5:30pm, Nashua High School North
- Board of Education Meeting, 6:00pm, Nashua High School North
- December 21st
- Secretary Negotiations, 9:00am, Central Office
- December 25th
- Merry Christmas!!
- December 26th - January 2nd
- No School
- January 1st
- Happy New Year!!!
- January 3rd
- School Reopens
