Dear Friends,
As you may already be aware, after 30+ years of teaching in the Hicksville Public Schools, I have been granted a leave of absence by the Board of Education in order to pursue a new and exciting opportunity. I have been offered and accepted a position with NYSUT as a Labor Relations Specialist. This position will allow me to continue to advocate for our profession while at the same time share the expertise that I have garnered working with all of you in the Hicksville Congress of Teachers.
I share with you my excitement of starting something new at this stage of my life. Even though I am sad to be leaving such a wonderful community, please know that I leave, still loving what I do in the classroom and my work with our union.
The Board of Directors of the Hicksville Congress of Teachers met yesterday, January 27, 2016, to discuss the ramifications of my leave of absence. They voted unanimously to appoint 1st Vice, President Thomas Glenn as Interim President of the HCT and Woodland Avenue Building Representative, Robert Morris as Interim 1st Vice President of the HCT effective March 1, 2016.
There will be more challenging times ahead for our union with the impending U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Friedrichs case, the threat of the NYS Constitutional Convention, the ramifications of the NYSHIP court decisions and upcoming appeals, and the unresolved pressures of APPR. I am confident that Tom and Rob, with the support of Kathy, Mary, Amanda and all of the members of the Board of Directors, will continue to provide the leadership and guidance our members and our school community deserve.
I hope that you will welcome both Tom and Rob into their new roles, during this transition, but know that I remain available to assist all of you in any way that I am able to.
I am so grateful for the support that you have shown me over all of my years as your colleague and your President and of course as your friend.
Always in solidarity,
Joan Deem
HCT President