Several years ago the level of violence and student disorder in our public schools was approaching epidemic levels. This lead to a concerted approach by our department to address solutions through the formation of several territorial  task forces on this subject. This resulted in a restructuring of our student disciplinary code and a “zero tolerance policy .“ However, we are beginning to lose the handle, once again, in our struggle to contain the incidents of violent behavior in our schools. Our members are reporting too many threats being made against adults in  authority, verbal and physical assaults against students and a general lack of student disorder on our campuses. Additionally, too many guns , knives and other weapons are being found in our schools. We suspect that not all of these incidents are being reported or being recorded in our statistical data bank.

Election Time Again

Elections will be on May 8, 2001.  Petitions must by filed by April 11, 2001. The following individuals represent the slate of officers for AFT Election 2001.

• Vernelle de Lagarde                President
• Alrid Lockhart                        1st Vice-President
• Sidney Bell                             2nd Vice-President
• Roi Simmonds                        3rd Vice-President
• Valerie Johnson                      4th Vice-President
• Lydia Gumbs                          5th Vice-President
• Clemmie Moses                      Recording Secretary
• Rubye Tisdale-Todman            Corresponding Secretary
• Richard Brown                        Treasurer

        This was done in accordance with Article IV. B. Section 2 our Constitution which states, “In February of each election year, the Representative Council shall select by secret ballot a slate of officers to present to the membership.  The council shall endeavor to achieve both a geographical and educational balance in the slate.”

         Members who desire to vie for any office may be nominated at our April General Membership meeting or submit a petition for said office with the signatures of 30 bonafide members.

Dear Dr. Simmonds:       

Leonard Dober Elementary School has been without a secretary from June 19, 2000. The previous secretary resigned from the Department of Education in June 2000.  The lack of a secretary has created a burden on the faculty and staff.   It has made things more difficult and uncomfortable, not to mention the back log in paper work that currently exist at the campus.

It is now February 2001.  Therefore, I am appealing to you to help with our situation.

Respectfully yours,

Mark M. Meyers, Building Representative

Policies set by the Department of Education, the Board of Education, the 24^th Legislature, Government House and, even in Washington, D.C., directly affect the professional and personal lives of AFT members.  Participation in the political process is the only way to ensure that your voice is heard in the halls of the legislative and executive branches.

The COPE committee has been established to enable us to become an influential player in gubernatorial, Legislative, and Board of Education elections.  In Campaign 2000, we started the endorsement process with forums questioning candidates on their views as they pertained to education.  Due to the strike and other issues, the endorsement of any candidate was not viable.  For campaign 2002, we will set and follow guidelines for endorsements and prepare a slate of candidates for our members. 

COPE is not an election year vehicle, for although elections are over, there are many political issues that we are faced with daily.  Our pending retroactive payments, proposed insurance premium increases, funding for our salary increases are a few issues that we must address today.  The COPE committee is working diligently to assist with finding solutions to these and other pressing issues. The COPE committee consists of the officers of Local 1825, and other individuals who volunteered and/or are appointed by the President of Local 1825.  We encourage anyone who seeks a change to join us as we work to make a change.

        The faculty and staff of Dober Elementary School thanked Principal Warner for her timely effort and consideration in helping to move their school forward. Building Representative Mark Meyers stated, “The delivery of the computers and other items to the school will help to further educate and enhance the learning capability of our students.”

        Are you a Union Member in good standing? Are you an effective teacher?  Do you get along with the building principal as well as your peers?  Do you operate on a professional level?  Are you concerned with your own professional growth?  Do you possess good communication skills?  Can you facilitate the functioning of adult groups?  If so, read on.  We are currently looking for two teachers to be trained by National AFT as Strand Coordinators in the ER &D Program.  The two strands are Foundations of Effective Teaching and Thinking Math.  The Thinking Math person ideally would be a Jr. or Sr. High School teacher while the Foundation person can be from any level.  

Assistant ReGina Vanterpool sent congratulations to the following for a job well done with the 2000/2001 Spelling Bee, First Annual Step Show, and Technology Workshop

• June Aubain

• Sandra Carty

• Diana Spiver-Dowe

• Carol Jacobs*Ritz Hodge

• Germaine Vanterpool

• Bernice Jackson

• Holly Ferguson

• Juana Baa

• Loretta Silcott