Manalapan-Englishtown BOE Plans Resolution Asking NJEA to Lower Membership Dues

Manalapan-Englishtown Board of Education member James Mumolie suggested the board pass a resolution asking the New Jersey Educators Association (NJEA) to lower their yearly membership dues, at a meeting on Tuesday, April 5.

Mumolie argues that if the NJEA feels the state treats them unfairly, then in turn, the union should show “good faith” to their own members, as well as, voters.

“I think by them (NJEA) showing good faith by lowering their dues, the taxpayers will maybe pass our budget because we’re asking them to dig in their pockets," Mumolie explained. "So if the union could spend $6 million to fight Mr. Christie --- throwing their money away -- they can help their own people by lowering their dues." 

The Star-Ledger reported that the Election Law Enforcement Commission discovered that NJEA, the state’s largest union, spent $6.8 million on lobbying last year, mostly through an ad campaign opposing Christie’s cuts to education.

According to the union's website, an “acting professional membership” costs members $761 for the 2010-2011 school year. The dues could be more depending on the district.

Business Administrator and Board Secretary Veronica Wolf said that the annual dues for teachers in the Manalapan-Englishtown district total around $900.

Gov. Chris Christie, who is on a campaign to end tenure, alleges that the NJEA is “the biggest bully on State Street”, according to the Daily Record.

Meanwhile, leaders of the union argue that their fight against Christie is not only for teachers, but also for students and their families.

“NJEA and its members are not going to be demonized, demoralized, or unfairly criticized by a governor who is carrying out a national attack strategy on public sector unions, and whose stated goal is the privatization of public education,” wrote Barbara Keshishian, president of the NJEA, in a letter to the Star-Ledger.

“We teach our students to stand up to bullies. So, when Christie attacks the NJEA and public education, we will swing back hard because, in the end, that’s the only language bullies understand,” Kershishian added.

Mumolie’s proposed resolution will be a political message in time for the school board elections and the vote on the budget on April 27. He agreed to draft his resolution and submit it to Board Attorney Sanford Brown for review. The board will look to vote on it at the April 26 meeting.

The April 26 meeting will also be the last for some members of this current board; three seats are up for contest. Board President Donna Formoso and Board Member Valerie Maglione have announced that they will be resigning; Board Member Michele Stipelman is up for reelection.