Recognition........................................................................................ 5
Negotiation of Successor Agreements ............................................. 6
Grievance Procedure ........................................................................ 6
Definitions...................................................................................... 6
Purpose........................................................................................... 6
Time Limits .................................................................................... 6
Outline of Procedures.................................................................... 6, 7
Teacher-Board Committee ............................................................... 7
Schedule I -Order of Appeals .......................................................... 8 (attached to back of contract)
Grievance Procedure……………………………….………………8
Salaries.............................................................................................. 8, 9
Deductions from Salary.................................................................... 9, 10
Insurance Protection ........................................................................ 10, 11
Temporary Leaves of Absence ......................................................... 11
Extended Leaves of Absence ............................................................ 12
Bonus for Accumulated Sick Days ................................................... 13
Miscellaneous Provisions.................................................................. 13

ARTICLES applying to Teaching Staff Members................ 14

In-School Work Year………………………………………………….14
In-School Work Day…………………………………………………..14
Teaching Work Load………………………………………………….14, 15
Tuition Aid Program…………………………………………………..15, 16
Professional Assignments……………………………………………..16
Co-Curricular Program……………………………………………….. 16


ARTICLES applying to Operations and
Maintenance Employees...................................................................... 17

Work Schedule ………………………………………………………17
Holidays and Vacations……………………………………………….17, 18
Tenure…………………………………………………………………18
Uniforms………………………………………………………………18
Salary Incentive for Job-Related Education…………………………..18


DURATION...........................................................................19

Negotiations Committee……………. ………………………………..20
Witness of Agreement………………………..………………………..21











Salary Guides for the following are attached to the back of the contract

Teacher’s Salary Guide 2006-2007
Teacher’s Salary Guide 2007-2008
Teacher’s Salary Guide 2008-2009

Summer School Salary Schedule 2006-2007
Summer School Salary Schedule 2007-2008
Summer School Salary Schedule 2008-2009

Operations and Maintenance Salary Guide 2006-2007
Operations and Maintenance Salary Guide 2007-2008
Operations and Maintenance Salary Guide 2008-2009

Special Assignments Salary Guide 2006-2007
Special Assignments Salary Guide 2007-2008
Special Assignments Salary Guide 2008-2009

Special Assignments Co-Curricular 2006-2007
Special Assignments Co-Curricular 2007-2008
Special Assignments Co-Curricular 2008-2009

Teachers, including:
guidance counselors

librarians
learning disabilities specialists
coordinators of trades and industries
coordinators of distributive education
coordinators of clerical-secretarial work experience program
social workers
school psychologist
speech/language specialist
reading specialist
school nurses
janitor-maintenance
maintenance
occupational therapists
physical therapists
summer school

C. All other employees of the Northern Valley Regional High School District are specifically excluded from the provisions of this Agreement.

D. The parties agree that the Board reserves all rights, authority and responsibilities, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations including but not limited to New Jersey Statutes Annotated Title 18A, Education and New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 6, Education.

E. The Association recognizes the Board of Education as the public agency charged by the Legislature, under the mandate of the Constitution, with the management and organization of the Northern Valley Regional High Schools.

Article II
NEGOTIATION OF SUCCESSOR AGREEMENTS

During discussions, the Board and the Association shall continue to present relevant data, exchange points of view and make proposals and counter-proposals of mutual interest. Upon request from the Association, the Board will make available for inspection to the Association’s negotiating unit all information from its public records relevant to the subject matter of the negotiating session.

Neither party of any negotiations shall have any control over the selection of the negotiating representatives of the other party. The parties mutually pledge that their representatives shall be clothed with all necessary power to consider proposals and make counter proposals in the course of negotiations. Final acceptance of the proposed contract is subject to majority approval of the voting membership of both parties.

This Agreement shall not be modified in whole or in part by the parties except by an instrument in writing duly executed by both parties.

Except as this Agreement shall otherwise provide, all terms and conditions of employment applicable on the signing date of this Agreement shall continue to be so applicable during the term of this Agreement.

1. Grievance

A “grievance” is a claim by an employee or the Association based upon the interpretation, application or violation of this agreement, policies or administrative decisions affecting an employee or a group of employees.

The purpose of this procedure is to secure, at the lowest possible level, equitable solutions to the problems which may from time to time arise affecting employees. At all levels, the grievance procedure shall include only such parties in interest and their designated or selected representatives.

The number of days indicated at each level shall be considered as a maximum and every effort shall be made to expedite the process. The time limits specified may, however, be extended by mutual agreement in writing.

In the event a grievance is filed at such a time that it cannot be processed through all the stages in this grievance procedure by the end of the school year, and, if left unresolved until the beginning of the following school year could result in irreparable harm to a party in interest, the time limits set forth herein shall be reduced so that the grievance procedure may be exhausted prior to the end of the school year or as soon thereafter as is practicable.

Level One

Any employee who has a grievance shall, within fifteen days, discuss it first with his principal (or immediate supervisor) in an attempt to resolve the matter informally at that level (Schedule I, entitled “Order of Appeals,” is attached hereto and made a part hereof).

If, as a result of the discussion, the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of the employee within five school days, he shall set forth his complaint, in writing, to the principal and his supervisor. The principal shall communicate his decision to the employee in writing within five school days of receipt of the written complaint.

The employee may, within five school days, appeal the principal’s decision to the Superintendent of Schools. The appeal to the Superintendent must be made in writing and must set forth the grounds upon which the grievance is based. The Superintendent shall request a report on the grievance from the principal and shall confer with the concerned parties or, upon request, with the aggrieved party or principal separately. He shall attempt to resolve the matter as quickly as possible but within a period not to exceed ten school days. The Superintendent shall communicate his decision in writing, along with supporting reasons to the aggrieved party, the supervisor and the principal.

In the event that any supervisor, principal or superintendent shall fail to act in accordance with these regulations, or in the further event that said employee is dissatisfied with the supervisor’s, principal’s, or superintendent’s determination, the employee may submit his grievance in writing to the Teacher-Board Committee, setting forth each step taken, the result achieved at each level and the reason for the employee’s dissatisfaction with the earlier determination.

c. Gather facts to provide for a complete understanding of these problems;
d. Discuss and attempt to arrive at a solution in keeping with the philosophies of each organization;

a. Convene meetings:

(1) at the request of the Association representatives;

c. notifies all interested parties of the determination made by the Committee.

If the Teacher-Board Committee determines that the grievance has or may have merit, it shall recommend that the grievance be heard by the Board of Education or a committee of the Board. The Teacher-Board Committee shall take steps as deemed necessary and desirable to affect an equitable determination of the grievance and shall within twenty school days from the receipt of said grievance, submit its findings to the Board of Education.

If the Board is required to make an independent determination, it shall invite the grievant to present his/her case to the entire Board, and it shall approve or reject the Teacher-Board Committee’s determination at its next monthly meeting or within thirty days, and shall provide for notification to all interested parties of its determination.

The determination and decision of the Board of Education is final unless and until this decision is set aside by higher authority.

In cases where an employee is dissatisfied with the outcome of the grievance, the Board agrees to allow the employee a chance to express their concerns in a closed session.

Rights and Protection in Representation

B. Whenever any teacher is required to appear before the Superintendent or a designee, Board, or any committee, member, representative or agent thereof concerning any matter which could adversely affect the continuation of that teacher in office, position or employment, or the salary or any increments pertaining thereto, then the teacher shall be given prior written notice of the reasons for such meeting or interview and shall be entitled to have a representative of the Association present to advise and represent the teacher during such meeting or interview.

C. The Board shall not establish any separate personnel file unless it is available for the teacher's inspection, with the exception of personal references solicited by the Board at the time of employment. This provision shall not limit the Board's right to establish personnel files as may be required in the operation of the school system, with the understanding that such files will be available for the teacher's inspection. Teachers shall have the right, upon request at a mutually convenient time to review the contents of these personnel files in the presence of a person authorized by the Board. After an initial review of personnel file, in the presence of a person authorized by the Board of Education a teacher may request a second review of the files accompanied by a representative of the Association, in the presence of the person authorized by the Board of Education.




D. The Board and the Association agree that there shall be no discrimination in the policies and practices of the District. Said policy of non-discrimination shall be in accordance with Title VI and Title IX and any other applicable State or Federal Legislation.

E. A full-time tenured teacher in the District shall be entitled to enroll dependent children in either high school at no tuition, provided the children shall not compete in interscholastic activities unless meeting eligibility requirements met by other students and provided the enrollment of such dependent child has no financial impact on the district.

All employees will be paid not later than their regularly scheduled pay day. In those cases where initial checks may be delayed because of the relationship of employment date to payroll preparation date, the employee may be advanced, on the pay days between employment and the 15th of the succeeding month, an amount up to 99% of the net amount due the employee. Such advances will be deducted from the initial regularly prepared salary check.

Certified employees will be allowed credit on the salary guide as follows:

Full credit for the year if employee is under contract before November 1 and assigned full teaching assignment.

One-half year of credit for full assignment and contract issued between November 1 and February 28 or a contract of one full semester for full assignment.

No credit for services on or after March 1.

B. Representation Fee

Purpose of Plan: If a Bargaining Unit Member does not become a member of the Association during any membership year (i.e., from September 1 to the following August 31) which is covered in whole or in part by this Agreement, said employee will be required to pay a representation fee to the Association for that membership year to offset the costs of services rendered by the Association or majority representation.

Amount of Fee: Prior to the beginning of each membership year, the Association will notify the Board, in writing, of the amount of the regular membership dues, initiation fees and assessment charged by the Association to its own members for that membership year. The representation fee to be paid by non-members will not exceed 85% of that amount.

The Board agrees to deduct the representation fee in equal installments, as nearly as possible, from the paychecks paid to each Bargaining Unit Member during the remainder of the membership year in question. The deductions will begin 30 days after the Bargaining Unit Member begins his or her employment in a bargaining unit position.

The Association, before any deductions are made, must first establish a demand and return system. This system will provide that a nonunion member may appeal the amount of the representation fee assessed against him/her. The Association will provide the nonmember with a full and fair hearing, and has the burden of proof in justifying the amount of the fee. Non-members who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their appeal at the local level may appeal further. All funds in this instance will be held in escrow during that period of time.

Indemnification and Save Harmless Provision: The Association agrees to indemnify and hold the Board harmless against any liability which may arise by reason of any action taken by the Board in complying with the provisions of this Article, provided that the Board gives the Association timely notice in writing of any claim, demand, suit or other form of liability in regard to which it will seek to implement this paragraph.

Termination of Employment: If a Bargaining Unit Member who is required to pay a representation fee terminates his or her employment with the Board before the Association has received the full amount of the representation fee to which it is entitled under this Article, the Board will deduct the unpaid portion of the fee from the last paycheck paid to said Bargaining Unit Member during the membership year in question and promptly forward same to the Association.

The procedure explained above will apply to all association members and not just to those who pay a representation fee. This is meant to provide equal treatment for association and non-association members.

A. The Board shall provide health-care insurance protection as designated below:

The Board will pay l00% of the premium of all employees and dependents (family) in a plan equal to or better than the Horizon Direct Plan. Employees may elect to defer health insurance during the transition to a new plan or at the annual open enrollment. The employee will receive $3,000 in lieu of benefits. Payment schedule will be determined by the date of election to defer health benefits. Re-entry will be determined by open enrollment or all recognized life changing events.

Provisions of the health-care insurance program shall be detailed in master policies and contracts agreed upon by the Board and the Association and shall include:

Hospital room and board and miscellaneous costs

Out-patient benefits

Laboratory fees, diagnostic expenses and therapy treatments

Maternity costs

Surgical costs

Major-medical coverage

D. The Board shall provide and pay the premium for an Optical Insurance Program for the employees covered by the agreement during the 2006-2009 contract years.

The sick leave allowance for all 10 month employees will be 10 days annually, cumulative from year to year and 12 days annually for 12 month contract employees, cumulative from year to year.

Absence from school due to being quarantined by the Board of Health for a contagious disease within the employee’s household;

Absence from school due to an injury sustained while on official business of the school which is eligible for Workmen’s Compensation.

The Superintendent shall grant up to three days a year leave of absence with pay to a Board employee. Application to the employee's principal or other immediate supervisor for personal leave shall be made at least five days before taking such leave except in the case of emergencies. A stated reason shall not be required for such days except for a day immediately before or after a vacation or holiday. A personal day immediately before or after a vacation will require a documented, written reason and the approval of the Superintendent. It is understood that the decision of the Superintendent regarding personal days immediately before or after vacations or holidays will be final and not subject to the grievance procedure.

Three days absence with pay are allowed for death in the "immediate" family. Two day's absence with pay is allowed for "second-degree" relatives. One day’s absence with pay is allowed for “third degree” relatives. The "immediate" family is considered to include wife, husband, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandparents, stepmother, stepfather, stepson and stepdaughter. "Second-degree" relatives are considered to be brother-in-law, sister-in-law and spouses grandparents. “Third-degree” relatives are considered to be aunt, uncle and cousin.

Any unique hardships, caused by circumstances not covered above, may be reviewed by the superintendent upon the request of the employee.

Three days absence with pay is allowed for immediate paternity leave in case of birth or adoption.

The Board of Education shall grant any request for a maternity/

A request for maternity/paternity leave must be submitted at least 60 days prior to commencement of such leave. The request for maternity/paternity leave shall state a specific commencement date at any time prior to the expected date of birth and a specific return date which in no case shall be later than the first day of the second September following the beginning of the maternity leave.

At the employee’s request, or at the request of the Board of education and upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the commencement and/or return dates may be extended or reduced for a reasonable period for medical reasons associated with the pregnancy or the birth. In no case shall the employee on maternity/paternity leave be returned to duty until the Board’s contractual obligations for the employee’s replacement have been fulfilled and such action is deemed by the Board to be in the best interests of the pupils and the school under the then existing circumstances of any individual case.

No salary or other fringe benefits shall be paid to an employee on maternity/paternity leave of absence, and time spent on maternity leave of absence shall not count toward placement on the salary guide or seniority.

The Board of Education shall not be obligated to extend the maternity/paternity leave of absence of a non-tenured employee beyond the expiration date of the employment contract in effect at the time the maternity leave of absence commences.

Any employee giving notice of intent to adopt an infant child shall receive similar leave which shall commence upon the receipt of de facto custody of said infant, or earlier if necessary to fulfill the requirements for the adoption, providing the superintendent received notice at the time of the making of the application for adoption.

Not withstanding the provisions set forth above, upon the recommendation of the superintendent, the Board of Education may require a maternity leave of absence to commence on a date earlier than applied for if the pregnant employee is determined to be not medically able to continue teaching or perform other regular duties by written notice following examination and consultation by employee’s physician and Board physician.

However, if there is a difference of medical opinion between the physicians, the two shall in good faith designate a third impartial physician who shall examine the employee, and whose medical opinion shall be conclusive and binding on the medical capacity to continue teaching or other regular duties.

Other leaves of absence without pay may be granted by the Board for good reason.

All benefits to which an employee was entitled at the time his leave of absence commenced, including unused accumulated sick leave and longevity credits shall be restored to him upon his return.

All extensions or renewals of leaves shall be applied for and granted on the recommendation of the superintendent and approval of the Board.

Upon retirement from the Northern Valley Regional School District an employee must be employed at least fifteen (15) years in the school district to be eligible for the following payment of accumulated sick days:

2006-2007 Teachers $105 per day
2007-2008 Teachers $52.50 per day
2008-2009 Teachers $52.50 per day

2006-2007 Custodian and Maintenance $52.50 per day
2007-2008 Custodian and Maintenance $26.25 per day
2008-2009 Custodian and Maintenance $26.25 per day

If any provision of the Agreement is held to be contrary to law, then such provision shall be deemed invalid and all other provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

The Association and the Board recognizes the strikes and other forms of work stoppages by employees are contrary to public policy. The Association and the Board subscribe to the principle that differences shall be resolved by peaceful and appropriate means without interruption of the school program. The Association, therefore, agrees that there shall be no strikes, work stoppages, or other concerted refusal to perform work, by the employees covered by this Agreement nor any instigation thereof.

Should either the Board of Education or the Northern Valley Education Association feel that a violation of contract has occurred or that an interpretation of a contract is required, then at the request of either party, in writing, setting forth the nature of the alleged violation or misinterpretation and outlining the facts and circumstances, the superintendent shall call a meeting of the respective negotiations committees within fifteen (15) calendar days after receipt of such written notice.

In the event the two negotiating committees cannot agree
within ten days, either party may appeal to the appropriate
agencies or courts.

Copies of this Agreement shall be printed after agreement between the parties on format, at the expense of both the Board and the
Association, cost to be shared equally. The Agreement shall be presented to all persons designated in Article I-A, herein, now employed, hereafter employed, or considered for employment by the Board. The method of reproduction and the selection of the printer will be mutually agreed upon by both parties.

All communications between the parties relating to this Agreement shall be made in writing, addressed and given to the President and Secretary of the Association and to the Superintendent and Board Secretary on behalf of the Board.

B. The superintendent shall prepare a student calendar and shall consult with the Association, other individuals and organizations within the school system, and, as he sees fit, individuals and organizations other than within the school community and shall recommend a student calendar to the Board.

C. The superintendent shall consult with the Association, other individuals and organizations within the school system prior to any modification of the ”in-school work year” due to an emergency situation.

D. It is hereby understood that the student calendar is a nonnegotiable item.

A schedule of teachers meetings will be provided by September 15^th of each school year. This meeting schedule and references to the agenda and goals of these meetings will be established outside of the contract in a procedure provided by the Superintendent of Schools.

A. Fourteen to seventeen periods of classroom contact in a four day cycle. One professional period and one lunch period shall be assigned each day and all other periods to be assigned as needed.

B. The instructional period shall be 58 minutes.

C. It is agreed that teachers who travel and lose their lunch period once every four days shall not have duties assigned.

D. It is agreed that under certain circumstances the administration may assign up to 18 instructional periods per cycle when the Board of Education deems it educationally necessary.

E. It is agreed that under certain circumstances a teacher may be assigned a sixth class. Any teacher assigned a sixth class that extends beyond 8 days shall be paid at the rate of $60 per day beginning with the seventh day retroactive to the first day.

All others shall be governed by the following.

B1. "Generally, the plan contemplates that study for a Masters Degree will be in the specific field in which the employee is instructing and courses beyond the Masters Degree will improve the job performance and contribute to the individual's professional progress. For the professional staff, the studies should be at the graduate level, except in the case in which the department chairman, principal, and superintendent consider undergraduate courses to be more beneficial to the district."

C. The plan is subject to the following features:

Control of the plan will remain with the Board of Education.

Applicant must receive approval to pursue courses from the department chairperson, principal and superintendent prior to two weeks before registration.

If the initial request for tuition aid is denied, a tuition-aid committee of one administrator and two teachers will try to resolve the difference.

Tuition reimbursement will be granted for approved courses to those certified teachers who have completed the first three years of employment and have received tenure.

Tuition reimbursement will be granted to all other personnel at the discretion of the superintendent.

Tuition reimbursement will not exceed $1,200 per individual per year. Sixty-two thousand dollars ($62,000 for 2006-2007), Sixty-four thousand dollars ($64,000 for 2007-2008) and Sixty-six thousand dollars ($66,000 for 2008-2009) will be allotted respectively for each contract year. Six hundred dollars ($600) will be allotted for each custodial and maintenance. This money will be part of the funds allocated in for each year in the overall fund.

Tuition reimbursement is not applicable during any leave of absence.

F. The plan will operate July 1 through June 30. Credits earned will be evaluated and, where applicable, applied toward salary improvement, if transcripts are submitted prior to October 1. Transcripts received after this date will be credited to the next annual salary.

G. Professional improvement is expected of employees of the Northern Valley Regional High School District.

H. The annual tuition aid ($62,000 $64,000, $66,000) will be dispensed in two separate times priority, programs e.g., $31,000; $32,000 and $33,000 for summer and fall requests (July 1st to December 31st) and $31,000; $32,000 and $33,000 for spring requests (January 1st to June 30th). Unused monies for the summer/fall will carry over to the spring fund. Unused monies in the spring fund will carryover to the subsequent years in the contract.

A. All staff may be required to be present for Back-to School Night and Graduation.

B. All staff may be assigned to chaperone one additional activity.

C. If additional chaperones are needed beyond the three (3) required duties above, these shall be volunteers and shall be compensated at the rate of $40.00 per activity.

D. With the exceptions of the following assignments (Back to School Night, College Night, and Graduation), guidance counselors will have eight (8) additional working days each school year. Those days must fall between September 1 and June 30 and will be divided as follows: one full day at the start of the school year, one full day at the end of the school year, and not more than 8 guidance sponsored evening programs, each equaling one-half a work day. Counselors will be paid for these days on a per diem basis, thereby increasing their annual salary to reflect the additional 8 working days.

E. The President of the NVEA shall not be assigned any duties.

B. Teacher participation in co-curricular activities shall be compensated according to the rate of pay in Appendix B, Schedule 7 (B-7).

C. The Board will publish the job descriptions to correspond to the activities listed in Appendix B, Schedule 7.

D. Contracts for such activities will be issued to the individual advisor before the activity begins. If a contract is terminated prior to the stated duration of the contract, the stipend shall be pro-rated for the period of time under which the contract was in effect.

The work week will be forty hours, Monday through Friday.

All other scheduled work will be compensated according to the Overtime Schedule.

A prior notice of three (3) working days will be given to all employees prior to any shift change. In the case of an emergency situation, the prior notification may be reduced to 24 hours.

Overtime shall be at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked beyond the forty-hour work week. Unscheduled overtime on Sundays and holidays will be at a double time rate.

If overtime is not continuous with the normal shift hours due to an emergency situation, then there will be a guaranteed minimum of four hours of overtime compensation. If an employee is called in before or after his scheduled work hours for continuous hours of work, he will receive overtime compensation for the additional hours.

(a)*If Independence Day falls on a Saturday, the Friday before will be granted as a holiday. If this day falls on a Sunday, the Monday after will be granted as a holiday.

(b)**If Christmas Eve Day and New Year's Eve Day and/or Veterans Day fall on a Saturday or Sunday, "in-lieu" of days will be awarded at the rate of one-to-one.

(c)***If Christmas Day and New Year's Day fall on a Sunday, the Mondays after will be granted as a holiday.

The days on which the "in-lieu of" days may be used will be determined by the mutual convenience of the employee and the Building and Grounds Supervisor. If the employee and the Building and Grounds Supervisor cannot agree on an "in-lieu-of" date, the employee and the Building and Grounds Supervisor will appeal to the building Principal and the President of the Northern Valley Education Association who shall together decide when the "in-lieu-of" day shall be taken.

B. Vacations

Vacation time is earned from July 1 of each year and granted as follows:
Two (2) weeks after one (1) year of service.
Three (3) weeks after five (5) years of service.
Four (4) weeks after ten (10) years of service.

Those employed on a twelve-month contract with less than one year of service will be granted a vacation on a pro-rated schedule as approved by the Superintendent.

Vacation schedules will be posted no later than May 1. Vacations may be taken between September 1 and June 30 according to the following rules:

One (1) employee per building may take up to give (5) consecutive vacation days at one time, to be granted on a "first come, first served basis."

No employee may take vacation days during the first two (2) weeks of September or the last two (2) weeks of June.

Thirty (30) days advance notice must be given by the employee.

Each employee will be granted $525 (2006-2007), $550 (2007-2008) and $575 (2008-2009) for uniforms in one sum per year payable on the 1st pay period in September. Though no receipts will be required, it is understood that the money will be used for cleaning and maintaining uniforms, purchasing work shoes, safety shoes or work boots, and purchasing a winter coat.

In the event either party herein should desire to amend this Agreement prior to its expiration, such party shall notify the other party in writing and request a meeting for such purpose not less than ten days before the date of such meeting. The notice of the meeting shall set forth an agenda which shall include:

A. The provisions of the Agreement to be amended;

B. The proposed amendment;

If the other party, for any reasons whatever, should decline to attend such a meeting, it shall notify in writing the party requesting the same at least two days before the date of such meeting, and the failure of such party to attend such meeting shall not be sufficient grounds to constitute an impasse under the terms of R.S. 34:13A-6 (b). Further, in the event such meeting is held and no agreement is reached between the parties amending the Agreement, then neither party shall be charged with having created an impasse as set forth in said statute. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement shall not be amended except by an instrument in writing duly executed by both parties.

Northern Valley Regional High School Board of Education

In witness thereof the parties have executed this Agreement this day of September 25, 2006.

Northern Valley Regional High School District District Board of Education

by RAYMOND R. JACOBUS _______________________________________ Secretary

by JAMES HALL ______________________________________________ Chairperson