Earlier this week Asbury Park Education Association president John Napolitani sent an email (below) to all APEA members explaining why he and another APEA officer met with Superintendent Rashawn Adams, state fiscal monitor Robert Finger, and two school board members. Napolitani explains that the union had a “tiny scintilla of hope” that they would be able to resolve one of the many grievances APEA has filed with the district; currently paraprofessionals have been disallowed from getting breaks, which he characterizes as “staff members being treated in the utmost disrespectful ways possible.” The email recounts the meeting, which was ultimately unsuccessful.

Good Morning,

As we continue our fight for better working conditions, better staff treatment, and more genuine support, staff need to be aware that as leaders, we make decisions that are in the best interest of the entire Association membership. This means having to do a few things we may not necessarily agree with, but understand the importance of attempting to be the better side in this entire mess. This includes making calculated decisions that will not make the union look bad.

With this said, the County Executive Superintendent requested that myself and Michael Zajac sit down this past Friday with the Superintendent, State Monitor, two Board members, and himself in an attempt to settle the issues and as I’m told: “to tone down the noise” as stated by the New Jersey State Department of Education. The DOE understands the severity of what is currently transpiring in the Asbury Park School District. Mike and I reluctantly attended this meeting with a shred of hope, and I mean tiny scintilla of hope, that we would be able to settle several of the outstanding grievances.

For the record, we are currently at 70 plus grievances in total that have been filed since this current administration took over almost 3 years ago. As much as the current leadership claims we only have about 25 remaining grievances, what they fail to understand is it is unfathomable that a district this size could possible have 7 grievances, let alone 70. Yes, we are down to approximately 25, but that was after costly grievance procedures including arbitrations, ULPs, and a multitude of “go nowhere meetings” that yield no results unless the Superintendent is forced to settle.

We spent 2 very painful hours sitting in room Friday reviewing all the open grievances once again, and yielded the same results we have had for the last two years, which is NOTHING. I wanted one thing settled immediately, which is giving the paraprofessionals their 40 year past practice breaks as have been allowed. It was central office that sent down the edict to the principals to have them cease these past practice breaks that they have enjoyed for over 40 plus years. If this simple little matter can’t be rectified, then we believe nothing will be settled without a fight.

So I assure this membership that myself and our entire team will continue the fight. We cannot have staff members being treated in the utmost disrespectful ways possible. I feel very strongly that our paraprofessionals deserve better from a district that they pour their heart and soul into day in and day out. Again, I ask that you trust the process and in the words of a former superintendent, “Let it play out”. 

In Solidarity,

John Napolitani

APEA President