|
SCEA HISTORY SOMERSET COUNTY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION A biographical sketch The idea for the Somerset County Education Association came during the Second County Teachers Institute held in the Somerville area the week of October 8, 1849. That's no typo ... that is eighteen forty-nine! In those days there was no special training for teachers. The State Superintendent for Public Instruction along with the local superintendents conducted these week long sessions with the purpose of achieving some uniformity in teacher effort, methods, and school organization, with some time spent "lobbying" for the establishment of State Normal Schools (teacher training colleges). Teachers were meeting one another and discussing common concerns. They recognized the need for unified actions on these uniting concerns. So it happened that during the twenty-second County Teachers Institute held in Somerville, the teachers requested and received permission to hold an organizational meeting the afternoon of the second day of the Institute- which was May 13, 1884. On Saturday, May 31,1884, this group met again adopting a constitution naming the new organization the Somerset County Teachers Association. At first the SCTA met annually- in August. Typically, there was a president's message and a series of training sessions. Not surprisingly, the concerns voiced at these early sessions were not very different that those voiced today. Two examples: the value of teacher examinations and the creation of more school interest on the part of both parents and children. The SCTA went along smoothly, growing with the county, suffering wars and Depression with the nation, doing its part for the teachers on the county and the state. It changed its name to Somerset County Education Association in 1950, and in 1965 changed its dues structure- dues increased from fifty cents to one dollar per year. And then come 1968, a law called "303" gave public employees the right to negotiate collectively. There have been more changes during the years since than in the 119 years before. In 1971, the SCEA became unified with NEA and NJEA. The UNISERV program was started with field offices in localized regions. In 1978, after a decade of struggle, the $1.00 a year dues was finally increased. This allowed the SCEA to open its first office on Hamilton Street in Bound Brook. The office space was doubled in 1982 and full SCEA membership was opened to support staff. The SCEA has expanded services and programs to include grievance and negotiations training and a strong political action team. The SCEA revised its dues structure once again in December 1991 to provide funds for the purchase of an office. The building committee was formed to look at properties. We closed on our new office at 321 West Union Avenue, Bound Brook in May 1993. Renovations began and the official Grand Opening was held in September 1994. By November 1997, we had paid the mortgage and the building was fully owned by the Somerset County Education Association. The investment has not only given us a physical presence in the county, it has also increased our effectiveness as an organization. We have been able to hold our meetings and workshops in our building. Local associations, affiliated groups, and the Uniserv Reps have all been able to take advantage of our facilities. The office serves as a phone bank for our endorsed candidates and for locals supporting a referendum or school budget. Once the building fund was no longer needed, the SCEA dues were reduced by the amount dedicated to this fund. A subsequent dues reduction was also possible due to a drastic increase in membership. We have come a long way over the years and hope to become and even stronger advocate for education and education employees in the years to come. |