Earlier this week, Asbury Park Education Association President John Napolitani sent an email (below) to all APEA members explaining why he and other APEA officials met with Superintendent Rashawn Adams, State Finance Commissioner Robert Finger and two school board members. Napolitani explains that there was a “small glimmer of hope” in the union that APEA would be able to resolve one of the many complaints it had filed with the district. Currently, paraprofessionals are not allowed to take breaks, which he describes as “employees being treated in the most disrespectful way possible.” The email details a meeting that ultimately failed.
Good morning,
As we continue to strive for better working conditions, better employee treatment, and more genuine support, our employees must recognize that, as leaders, we make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire Association's membership. This means we need to do some things that we may not necessarily agree with, but understand the importance of trying to be on the better side of this confusing situation. This includes making calculated decisions that won't make the union look bad.
In response, the County Executive Superintendent requested that Michael Zajac and I sit down with the Superintendent, State Monitor, two Board members and myself last Friday to resolve the matter and stated the following: Noise,” the New Jersey State Department of Education said. DOE understands the seriousness of what is currently happening in the Asbury Park School District. Mike and I attended this meeting reluctantly and with little hope. That means there's a small glimmer of hope that we might be able to address a few glaring complaints.
According to records, there are now a total of over 70 complaints received since the current government took office almost three years ago. Current leadership claims there are only about 25 complaints left, but what they don't understand is that a district this size could have as many as seven complaints, let alone 70. Yes, we're down to about 25, but we've gone through a costly grievance process, including mediation, ULP, and countless “meetings out of nowhere” with no results unless the Superintendent forces a resolution.
We sat in a room on Friday and spent a very painful two hours going through all the open complaints once again and got the same results we got over the past two years. This is nothing. I wanted to immediately address giving paraprofessionals the practice breaks they have been allowed to take for the past 40 years. It was the central office that sent the edict to the principal to end the moratorium on past practice that had been enjoyed for over 40 years. If we can't fix this simple problem, we believe nothing will be solved without a fight.
So I assure these members that I and our entire team will continue to fight. We cannot allow our employees to be treated in the most disrespectful way possible. I feel very strongly that our paraprofessionals deserve better from the district they put their heart and soul into every day. Once again, I ask you to trust the process and the former Superintendent's words: “Let it run its course.”
In solidarity,
John Napolitani
HOW President