NFT Asks District to Defend Teachers
In a press conference Tuesday evening, the NFT called on the district to defend teachers.
The Neshaminy Federation of Teachers held a news conference Tuesday evening to address an alleged shoving incident that that took place Friday, September 23 at Neshaminy High School.
According to the union, a ranking member of the NFT was allegedly shoved by a school secretary during an altercation in the main office of the high school. The NFT member filed an incident report Monday with the Middletown Township Police Department and is consulting with NFT attorneys on options for filing harassment charges or seeking a restraining order against the alleged attacker.
NFT officials claimed that this alleged incident as well as reports of vandalism to NFT signs and property, and "anti-teacher and anti-NFT" comments online are examples of the bitterness that has grown in the community through the contract impasse.
"It is quite clear to us that the district's silence on these matters is appalling. We have asked the district verbally and in writing to speak publicly out against this type of behavior and to tone down the rhetoric directed at the NFT, but they remain silent," NFT Vice President Anne Schmidt said at the news conference.
The union believes that, in remaining silent, the district is "toying with the safety of its certified staff," Schmidt said, adding that the district is sending a signal to the community that it is "open season on teachers."
During the news conference, Schmidt and the rest of the union leadership showcased comments that have been made on the Neshaminy Info Facebook page, which is operated by board member William O'Connor.
They also displayed a letter dated September 21, 2011 they sent to Superintendent Louis Muenker, to which they said they have not received any correspondence.
"It's not our job to protect them," school board member Mike Morris said at the following school board meeting.
During the meeting, O'Connor said that while he does not condone the actions of those involved in the alleged shoving incident, he is "shocked" that the NFT would "exploit" the situation. He also that said the NFT is "doing what they do best" by deflecting attention away from "their unaffordable contract demands" and placing "blame on everyone and everything else."
NFT and board members did not comment on the alledged shoving incident as it is a personnel issue and is still under investigation.
concerned123
10:35 am on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Like they did'nt bring this upon themselves with their greed even if it's true?
Mike
1:31 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I wish that I could use my free speech to comment on your Face Book page but I was banned from it for asking questions.
terr h
8:29 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
they just banned me on their facebook site for asking them how many of the striking NFT members lived in the district.....guess the answer was under 2%...
gail
2:15 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Always blame the secretary......(I'm one myself) no names were mentioned?
Nicole Jenet
4:24 pm on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
No, Gail. Neither the NFT nor the school board named names of the two involved in the alleged incident. However, I'm trying to get a hold of the incident report that was filed with Middletown Police -- the names of those involved will be in that report.
former teacher
1:39 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
Nicole, be sure to ask questions about the participants. For example is there any truth to the rumor that the NFT member is on the negotiating team, has a history with relative of the secretary, a family member of the secretary is going to challenge the NFT leaders at the next election, that the NFT member in question was verbally abusing the secretary and refused repeated requests to leave the work station of the secretary. Maybe it's just my perspective but it seems like no one ever asks the NFT to answer questions. It seems as though they present their side (and they leave convenient facts out every time) and the media runs with their version. Ask them questions, Nicole! And please report what they say. Thank you.
Jules Hyman
9:55 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
WHAT LESSONS ARE THE TEACHERS AND THEIR UNION, THE NFT, GIVING THE NESHAMINY STUDENTS??? IF THE TEACHERS ARE UNHAPPY THEY CAN QUIT AND BE REPLACED BY HIGHLY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY IN FINDING MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT. TEACHERS ARE PUBLIC SERVANTS AND THEREFORE REALIZE THAT RESPONSIBILY TO THE PUBLIC IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THEIR POSITION.
NicAndy
5:21 pm on Friday, September 30, 2011
I understand that the secretary was not at her station at the time of the incident, but in another office talking to other secretaries at the time of the incident....perhaps this is part of the issue? I wonder if anything would have happened if the secretary was at her assigned station. I also understand that at least one student witnessed the secretary push the teacher. I hope they had the student or students write a statement about what they witnessed.
matt
7:34 am on Saturday, October 1, 2011
As Always we blame our teahers....but we can spend trillions in Iraq chasing weapons of mass destruction...not a peep from our so called tax watchdogs.I guess paying Haliburton is more important.
matt
7:41 am on Saturday, October 1, 2011
Greed?....it's okay for CEO'S to negotiate their contracts for pay and benefits....but let the average Middle class people form a union to do the same thing and they are greedy.Call the GOP and tell them we want our money back we spent building Iraq.
concerned123
11:00 am on Sunday, October 2, 2011
Matt,
Last time i checked the CEO'S you are talking about are private ! sector jobs. Average middle class taxpayers do not pay their salary. Your post makes no sense.