Week of February 20, 2023

Message from the President

New Transfer Language Process

In January, the NTU and the Board of Education approved a sidebar agreement making sweeping changes to the transfer process. These changes are going into effect today. These changes are crucial because it allows the hiring process to begin now as opposed to the last April/early May timeframe we have had in the best. This flexibility will hopefully allow for more positions to be filled sooner. 

How the Process Works

All vacancies created from retirements, resignations, newly budgeted positions, etc., must be posted for a minimum of ten (10) days. During those ten (10) days, interested internal candidates can put in a transfer request by completing the Transfer Request Form electronically. All building administrators, Central Office administrators, and the NTU have access to view the transfer list.

All qualified internal candidates who put in for a transfer must be interviewed for the position. A new Transfer Request Form must be completed for each position you are interested in transferring. Requests for transfers must be received within the ten (10) days of the job vacancy being posted. Job postings are available online and are linked in the eNews each Friday. 

This is a new process for everyone. If you have any questions, please contact the Union Office. 

Negotiations Updates

Paraeducator Negotiations Update

The Paraeducator Negotiations Team met on Wednesday, February 8th to review the survey data and talk next steps. To see the results of the survey, click here.

The Paraeducator Negotiations Team will return to the bargaining table on Wednesday, February 22nd starting at 10:00am. Information from that meeting will be released as it becomes available.

A Message from Kristi's Krew

Blood Drive Information

Wednesday, March 1st

2:00pm – 7:00pm

Nashua High School North

In late 2016, Kristi Cunha, a Special Education Teacher at Nashua High North, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that impacted her body's ability to produce healthy bone marrow.  As part of her treatment, Kristi required sometimes weekly blood transfusions.  She was fortunate that she rarely ever had to wait for blood to be available.  However, since the start of the pandemic, the blood supply has become more strained.  Kristi lost her battle with cancer in 2020, but her family keeps her legacy alive through Kristi's Krew.  This year, Kristi's Krew is hosting a blood drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross of Northern New England and Nashua High North.  We can tell you firsthand, blood isn't something you think about until you need it.  Help us to pay it forward by joining Kristi's Krew to donate! 

For blood donor information or schedule an appointment, visit https://rcblood.org/3kMrpIQ

Know Your Contract

Jury Duty

As people who work for a school district , we are not exempt from being called to Jury Duty. Each contract has specific language regarding court appearances:

While the language is different in each contract , they all share a common theme. If you are summoned to jury duty, you need to go. If you are paid for your services, bring proof of that to the Payroll Office at Central Office, and you will be paid the difference of what you would be paid for a regular day.

For example, if your regular pay is $50 per day, and the Court pays you $10, the district will pay you the additional $40 to make you whole for that day.

Upcoming Solidarity Day

Scholarship Opportunities

AFT Robert G. Porter Scholars Program - 2023

Application window: December 1st - March 31st

For more information, click here.

To apply, click here.

AFT-NH Legislative Updates

AFT-NH Legislative Bulletin 2023-07

In this week's addition:

Another Voucher Expansion Bill    Next week we have ANOTHER voucher expansion bill. This bill, HB 331 would allow any student who resides in New Hampshire to qualify for the voucher program. That is using your property tax dollars to pay for whatever tuition, educational vendor, online class or activity no matter how much money the family makes. This bill really should be called – “The Freedom to Give Away State Dollars to Rich People bill.” Or how about “The Freedom to Ruin Our Public Schools bill.” We need our legislature to focus on funding our public schools, which 165,000 Granite State students rely on for their education. Those students deserve a well-rounded, well-funded public education in schools fully staffed by certified teachers with plenty of caring, trained paraeducators available to support student learning. Constantly looking for ways to dig into our pockets to pay for other people’s educational choices is not helping the vast majority of Granite State students learn.

Action Request #1   You can sign in and OPPOSE HB 331 and make sure the House Education Committee knows that New Hampshire supports our public schools and will push back against those who would harm public education.

Here’s the link to submit your opposition:  Remote Sign-In

Step 1: Fill in your personal information.

Step 2: Select February 21st at 9:00 am for HB 331.

Step 3: Select House Education Committee

Step 4: Select Bill Number (HB 331)

Step 5: Select a member of the public and you are representing yourself.

Step 6:  Select OPPOSE

Step 7: Click Submit.

Voucher Accountability Needed   On Friday, February 24th, the House Education Committee will hear HB 451, a bill that prohibits any public or private school, organization or educational vendor from discriminating against students based on race, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or physical or mental disability. The simple point is this, if you are funded with public tax money, which is what a voucher is, you can’t discriminate against students.

Action Request #2   Please contact the House Education Committee and Tell them Protect Our Students and SUPPORT HB 451. No one should use your tax dollars to discriminate.

Here’s the link to submit your support:  Remote Sign-In

Step 1: Fill in your personal information.

Step 2: Select February 24th at 2:30pm for HB 451.

Step 3: Select House Education Committee

Step 4: Select Bill Number (HB 451)

Step 5: Select a member of the public and you are representing yourself.

Step 6:  Select SUPPORT

Step 7: Click Submit.

Have an idea for the Just for Fun section?  Send it to Adam (president@nashuatu.org).

Combo Shopping by a Landslide

Just for Fun

As we head to February vacation, I'm always curious what people are up to. So, what do you have planned next week?

For the NTU calendar, click here

For the BOE calendar, click here

For the BOE agendas and minutes, click here

Upcoming Events 

Questions? Comments? Need Assistance?  Contact a member of the Executive Board

Trying to email Adam? Make sure to use president@nashuatu.org