Association Leaders Returned to Office

Officers returned to Continue the Struggle for Better Conditions and Schools

The officers of the Paterson Education Association have been returned to office for another two-year term, it was announced at the May meeting of the Association's Delegate Assembly.

Fliers announcing the bi-annual elections were distributed to all schools and worksites before the spring recess by the Association's Election Committee. One member of the Committee was available to distribute petitions to any member who wished to place a slate of seven candidates into nomination. April 27 was established as the deadline for filing the petitions, which needed 385 signatures (10% of the membership) by the Committee.

However, when the Nor'easter and subsequent floods hit Paterson, the Committee extended this deadline, allowing petitions to be returned not later than May 4.

Elections Committee chairperson Joe Serico (HARP) reported to the Delegate Assembly that only one slate of nominees was submitted, and that the petitions that were verified had well over 550 valid member signatures. Petitions containing the signatures of over 1,200 P.E.A. members had been submitted.

After reporting this information, Serico cast one vote for the incumbent, and only nominated slate, confirming their election through June, 2009.

Elected for another term are:

Peter Tirri - President - P.E.A. Office

James Joyner - 1st Vice-President - P.E.A. Office

Vera Schemly - 2nd Vice-President - School # 10

Gene Harvell - 3rd Vice-President - School # 11

Sophia Jones - Corres. Secretary - JFK

Joe Savastano - Recording Secretary - MLK

Wanda Koch - Treasurer - HARP Academy

"We are all deeply appreciative of the support shown by the members," stated the officers, "and will continue to advocate for our schools, our students and our members."