The Lobster

Ms. Brown was on a date. This was a big deal since she'd been very, very busy all year. Her school was a tough place to work. Everywhere she turned there were demands. You had to go to this meeting. You had to fill out these forms. You had to sign in for this and sign out for that. Your classroom had to look just like this and your bulletin boards had to look just like that. It never ended. But here she was, in a nice restaurant, with a guy she liked. And right in front of her was a two-and-a-half-pound lobster. She loved lobster.

"Let's talk about us," said the guy. "It's time for us to decide where we're gonna go from here. We've been dating for a few months and I think it's time we..."

Ms. Brown was torn. There, right in front of her face was a lobster. She really wanted to eat that lobster. Almost every day she went to lunch in the school cafeteria, where she had to decide between a grilled cheese sandwich in a plastic bag or a rectangular piece of dried out fried fish. Was it really fried? Maybe it was baked. Maybe they stuck it in a microwave. It was tough to say. How did they get it all dried out like that?

"Because, you know, these are important decisions. We have to make them. We don't get opportunities like these every day. I think it's time we start thinking seriously about..."

And then there was that lobster. It looked perfect. All she had to do was start cracking it open. But wouldn't that be rude? I mean there was this guy, probably paying for the lobster and everything, and if she were to pick up a claw and loudly crack it, it would seem rude, wouldn't it? But she couldn't remember the last time she'd had a lobster. She loved lobster. When was the last time she had a chance to just sit down and enjoy something?

"...and we have to really consider whether or not these are the right steps. You can't take these decisions lightly. They have long-term implications. Too many people just jump into things without even..."

Sure, these decisions were important. You can't move ahead without thinking. But couldn't she stop just for one moment and consider the lobster? It looked so good. When was the next chance she'd get to have a lobster? Maybe if she quietly picked out pieces of the tail it wouldn't be so noticeable. She had that little fork. Could she act like she was considering the speech and just kind of eat while appearing thoughtful? That would probably pass.

"...so, you know, it's all about where we go from here. We need to decide whether this next step is right for us, because this is a very important stage in our relationship, and the only way we're gonna..."

He was a pretty nice guy, actually. If only he'd stop talking for one moment so they could eat. Food was kind of important, and with her job she never had time to cook it. She usually had to run someplace and grab something after school so that she'd be able to grade papers. It was a constant struggle to get that done without spilling food on them. You had to be so delicate when you wiped off food, or even worse coffee, from a piece of looseleaf.

"So at this stage, we have to carefully weigh our alternatives. You can't just do these things without thinking because while it might seem like a good idea, you have to..."

It was so hard to find time to go out. She had at least two stacks of papers that she had to grade this weekend. Couldn't she just eat the lobster now? She wanted it so much. She nodded her head. That was good. She would appear to understand the words that kept floating into the air.

Meanwhile, she delicately maneuvered the little fork into that tail. She kept nodding, saying, "Mm-hmm," in the most sympathetic voice she could muster. She maneuvered a piece of lobster onto her fork. It was a little big. There was a knife. She cut it into three pieces, all the while nodding her head. It was working.

She took one of the pieces, dipped it in butter, and raised it to her mouth. It was the best thing she'd ever tasted in her life.


Now, life could continue.

Ignoring Rank and File Not Paying Off for NYSUT. Or UFT.

Now it's official, of course. UFT has placed its man at the actual head of NYSUT, and has dropped all pretense of simply placing someone in the Executive Vice President position. That's because not one, but two consecutive NYSUT Presidents thought they were Presidents of NYSUT.  That's unacceptable to UFT leadership, which took reliable Andrew Pallotta and pushed him to President. After all, why bother pretending that UFT doesn't control NYSUT 100%?

This notwithstanding, there are some spoilsports who actually want to, you know, have a voice in the organization to which they pay dues. Jeez, why can't these people get with the program? We in the NYC high schools are completely accustomed to having no voice whatsoever. We don't even get to pick our own Vice-President. And it serves us right for not selecting the one UFT leadership picked for us 30 years ago. We can't be trusted with democracy.

Clearly, neither can the rest of New York State. I mean, just a few years back there was that awful Richard Iannuzzi, getting his panties all out of shape because Pallotta wanted to give a bunch of NYSUT money to Andrew Cuomo, you know, the guy who ran for governor on a platform of going after union and passed not one but TWO junk science based teacher evaluation systems. If UFT leadership wants to give the guy money, that should be good enough for anyone. That's why Iannuzzi is history, along with much-beloved secretary-treasurer Lee Cutler.

And when Karen Magee started supporting opt-out, well, that was beyond the pale. Who the hell does she think she is supporting a program that, according to UFT Secretary Howard Schoor, only affects 3% of NYC students? (And hey, while we're at it, let's pretend the lack of support from UFT leadership is just incidental in this, even though other unions all over the state work hand in hand with opt-out.)  If it isn't popular in NYC, who the hell do these hillbillies think they are supporting this? And sure, you could argue that opt-out moved Cuomo to become marginally less insane on the subject of education, but you could just as easily argue that UFT leadership is responsible for it. So why not do that and give opt-out no credit whatsoever?

On the other hand, Long Island teachers and unionists are worlds apart from UFT. While I live in Long Island, three years ago I began to meet and know Long Island teachers. I know several union presidents out here, and unlike the president of my union, they answer my email. In fact, some of them even answer my phone calls. Not only that, but as far as I can tell, they do the same for their members.

Some of them are pretty tired of being told what they can and cannot do by the United Federation of Teachers. Making a UFT Unity member President of NYSUT didn't sit all that well with them. Hence, a lot of them are not precisely feeling the love for NYSUT. Some are thinking about forming their own umbrella union. That's the sort of thing that happens when you bounce two presidents in a row. Sure, the most recent one took a golden parachute to AFT rather than put them through a campaign, but since that benefits a grand total of one person, it's not precisely smoothing the ruffled feathers out here.

I saw NYS Unity, on Twitter, boasting that they would hold the RA somewhere other than NYC in 2020. Nice as that is, it's not much consolation to all the people who didn't get to vote on the NYSUT presidency this year. I understand that, because as a city high school teacher, absolutely no one we voted for represented us at all. Now sure, you'll say, we're not that many. Actually there are more of us than there are members in the Philadelphia teacher union. So we understand.

Long Island is a pretty big place. It's a hotbed for opt-out, and neither UFT nor NYSUT is inspiring a whole lot of love in that movement. If Long Island were to move out of NYSUT, and several local presidents have told me they plan to do so, could upstate be far behind? What can NYSUT do about this? What can UFT do about this?

It's pretty simple, actually. You can start respecting views that differ from your own. You can start at home, by listening to the high schools. Maybe when we bring up things like fighting abusive principals and enforcing reasonable class sizes, the first reaction ought not to be reflexive resistance. Maybe it's not a good idea after all to get up and oppose and table and tear apart each and every contribution we offer. Maybe it's not a good idea to do that to every district in the state with its own opinion.

We in the loyal opposition support almost everything that leadership suggests. The sole exception, in my memory, was when they took a resolution we loved, condemning racism and discrimination, and decoupled it from Donald Trump, absurdly attributing it to "the Presidential election" instead. That, and lack of fundamental democracy. We kind of hate that.

But like our brothers and sisters elsewhere in the state, we don't give up, and we aren't going anywhere. We can work together or not.

We're ready for anything. Are you?

Notes from NYSUT RA

I'm at the NYSUT Representative Assembly. I was here three years ago as a candidate, running against Executive Vice-President Andrew Pallotta. I'm here this year as a guest of the Port Jefferson Station Teacher Association. I had cleared this with UFT, but there was no pass for me. While some woman was making a phone call to check out my standing, PJSTA's Brian St. Pierre walked up to me and handed me a pass.

We are sitting up in a huge empty room watching the convention on TV, Norm Scott, Jia Lee, and myself. Evidently allowing us on the convention floor is too risky. We are hearing about who is teacher of the year.

Interestingly enough, I'm an elected member of the UFT High School Executive Board. We high school teachers are kind of uppity. In fact once, in the eighties, we elected Michael Shulman of New Action our Vice President. This was unforgivable. UFT Unity disputed that election and prevented him from taking office. He spent a whole lot of his term waiting for the next election, which he also won. I was not particularly active back then, but I voted for him both times.

We needed to be punished for that, so once they got rid of Shulman they changed the rules. Now all vice-presidents are voted for "at large." Since every branch but high schools votes Unity, this change affects only us. It's as though New York State were judged too liberal, and the Trump administration decided that Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming needed to help us choose our governor. Thus, James Eterno got the majority of votes for high school VP, but he hasn't been seated.

I'm also not seated. I'm one of seven Executive Board members. We are the only people 20,000 New York City high school teachers elected and we have zero voice in NYSUT. That's because Randi Weingarten's UFT Unity made the rules. Of course, sometimes that's frowned upon:

It’s a dark day when one party thwarts constitutional process & Senate tradition to confirm an ideological ally https://t.co/bXOIHTFFHT

— Randi Weingarten (@rweingarten) April 8, 2017

Ironic, ain't it?

This notwithstanding, we all pay dues to NYSUT. While this happens, we are facing imminent "right to work" laws, which will make union dues optional. Meanwhile leadership is upstairs wondering why people won't want to pay. I say that as a strong supporter of union who will certainly pay.

I met Lee Cutler here, who was unceremoniously ousted three years ago. Lee was much loved by NYSUT members, and almost managed to edge out Martin Messner, the choice of UFT Unity. Richard Iannuzzi told me that UFT holds 28% of NYSUT membership, but 33% of the vote. Thus, with the Unity loyalty oath, they only need to grab 17% of the vote to do whatever the hell they wish. And this year, they're dumping their hand-picked President Karen Magee, giving her a golden parachute to AFT somewhere, and planting UFT's Andrew Pallotta as President.

Yesterday there was a vote to introduce democracy to NYSUT, by allowing remote voting. Many small locals just can't afford a weekend at the NY Hilton. It was defeated. Mike Lillis, running for President against Pallotta, told me that 50% of locals weren't here. On the other hand, the Unity people say 88% of delegates are registered (though not necessarily present). I'm not sure exactly how that jibes, but some locals are very small indeed, so they could both be true.

During this campaign, NYS Unity has not bothered to debate Stronger Together. Who needs to see the candidates head to head when you begin with 33% of the vote in your hip pocket?

I was approached by a delegate who remarked, "In my union all the good guys get to be delegates. Not like yours." 

Don't get me wrong, there are some great people in UFT Unity. But that doesn't mean we're represented. 20,000 high school teachers aren't represented at all, and if that isn't an outrage, I don't know what is.

Update: No surprises here as NY State Unity candidate Andrew Pallotta becomes President of NYSUT. 

The Sad Tale of UFT-Unity's Robo-Voters

I've brought this back, from brilliant Arwen who used to help me out here. I still think it's her best work. Though the dates have been updated, the story's still the same as UFT-Unity sends 750 pre-programmed voters to the NY Hilton. I'm working at a school event tonight but will swing by tomorrow to report. 

Enjoy.

By special guest blogger Arwen E.

Welcome to the NYSUT Convention in NYC. Your UFT-Unity representatives were programmed after last month's Delegate Assembly, and will be arriving at the appointed time.

April 7th-9th, 2017, Mid-Town Manhattan

-->

The Unity Caucus, representing about one third of NYSUT's convention votes, will send approximately 800 robo-delegates to vote according to the dictates of the Unity leadership, rather than the dictates of conscience or the dictates of a democratic representation of constituencies.  It is a sad and sorry fact that although our Union is the most powerful tool we have to defend the rights of teachers, students and public schools, it has made some very poor decisions in the recent past, including support for mayoral control in the Bloomberg era, Common Core State Standards which have blighted student populations and V.A.M. which will threaten careers based on junk science and simultaneously lead to endless lawsuits.  Will our Union continue to support union-bashers as well as policies to squash students and schools?  Let us take an imaginary look into the Hilton during the second weekend of April to understand some very real threats.

The Mid-Town Hilton Pool:  Saturday Afternoon, April 8, 2017  

Poolside, Saturday Evening:  Delegates Must Not Bend!

 

Robby Converses with Robby in the Lobby 

A Breach of Security Sunday as the Convention Winds Down 

Will this potential breach to security be contained? Will our heroes be contaminated by rogue programming? Or will leadership thwart this dastardly plot from their magical and trusty seat at the table?

Tune in next time for another exciting adventure of UFT-Unity Caucus and their zany antics. 

Executive Board Takeaway.

 UFT Secretary Howard Schoor appears to be an avid reader of this blog. He seemed anxious to influence my notes on two occasions Monday night. I'd previously criticized his apparent ridicule of the question period, so he wanted to make sure I noticed it was more popular. I certainly noticed Monday, for the first time, that Unity members asked questions. Evidently, after a mere seven months of looking absolutely ridiculous, Unity Caucus has concluded it doesn't reflect particularly well on them when we question many things and they question nothing.

Therefore, Unity Caucus planted some questions, just like they do at the DA. I'll never forget going to the DA when the 2014 Contract came up. The very first question was something like, "Gee Mike, what happens if this contract doesn't pass?" That allowed Mulgrew to launch into his carefully prepared appeals to fear, that we would go to the back of the line of 151 unions and that retro wasn't a God-given right.

This notwithstanding, UFT Unity came up with some remarkably silly questions. The first was about when we would get a raise. A Unity member claimed people were asking him about it. Let's assume, for one moment, that this question was not a plant. That would mean that this hand-picked member of the UFT Executive Board was so uniquely inept and unresourceful that he was unable to go to the UFT website and look up the chart that's right here, or even call the borough office. More likely UFT leadership thought it would be a good idea to have him ask the stupid question and have me report on the raise. Naturally I'm delighted to report that UFT members will soon get a fraction of the raise that NYPD and FDNY managed to get almost ten years ago. Kudos to the Unity geniuses who cleverly negotiated that with no interest, and are making us wait years more for back pay.

Another question went to UFT HS VP Janella Hinds. What progress had she made on the resolution regarding Regents scoring that we passed at the DA twelve days ago? That's enough time to wind up a major negotiation with the DOE, isn't it? Janella said that it was not, in fact, and reported on her survey about SAT administration. It's ironic that this question came up, because I'd repeatedly pushed for that resolution. Schoor characterized me as "begging" for it. I can only speculate that, being in a group that has an army of patronage-crazy loyalty oath signers at its beck and call, Schoor has become less familiar with the concept of advocating for members. That, in fact, is what I was doing. It's kind of my job. I pushed this resolution because I actually teach every day and see firsthand what Regents scoring at remote schools does to people, not to mention various ways principals can make things worse for those who remain. This resolution has the potential to help tens of thousands of high school teachers.

Then, because there are no news reporting organizations and the world's sole source of information is UFT leadership, there was a question about whether ICE had done any raids on public schools.

It was an interesting night for other reasons. We had scores of teachers and parents from Central Park East 1 standing in the back. There were a few members from MORE steering. There was amazing energy in the room, and it was nice to have a sizable group of vocal supporters for once.

 I motivated this resolution to support CPE (that whole advocating thing again), and LeRoy Barr was instantly up to table it. Before he gave a hint as to why he wanted to do that, several nearby Unity loyalists seconded his proposal. Each and every one of them was a loyalty oath signer, bound to support any damn thing they're asked to. They don't need no stinking reasons.

Barr's rationale was that leadership was already doing a lot for CPE 1, and that supporting the resolution would somehow interfere with that. You won't be surprised to learn that I disagree. I motivated the resolution with a direct quote from UFT President Michael Mulgrew. I'm going to reproduce my remarks from this report below:

Tonight we have a school and a school community in crisis, a school suffering under the wholly gratuitous tyranny of an out of control principal. Ironically, this school is one founded on principles of functional democracy, a school that ought to be a model for us all. It’s deplorable to see the ostensible leader of this school trod all over its basic premise, a premise developed by renowned educational activist Deborah Meier. As President Mulgrew told this body just two weeks ago:

"Our biggest issue hands down is (the DOE’s) lack of responsibility with reigning in their principals. We will go after them at the school level. By law the superintendent is in charge. They are responsible for the actions of the principal. It is always best to have documentation when bringing any issues forward." 

Here is our chance to put those words in action. We have abundant documentation. We have firsthand testimony at our fingertips and in this very room. This is a golden opportunity for the United Federation of Teachers to walk the walk. Not only will we be giving much-needed support our brother and sister unionists and community members, but we’ll also be making a stand for the kind of innovative instruction and independent thinking we need to foster and enable for the students we serve.

I urge you to support this resolution and bring it to the Delegate Assembly this month.

We had a great chance to walk the walk and stand against just who Mulgrew said we would. We failed utterly to do this, even though this abusive principal had placed another teacher up for 3020a that very day. When LeRoy Barr asked us to stand for CPE 1, it struck me as odd. Hadn't we just declined to do precisely that? I was not inclined to honor that request. Howard Schoor asked me to report that I failed to stand, literally, for one moment. In fact I was typing furiously at the time, but I'm happy to oblige.

Who failed to stand for CPE 1? Was it us, New Action and MORE, the folks who brought the resolution to support CPE 1? Was it me, the guy who rose to motivate it?

Or was it the caucus that killed it without even bothering to ask why?

You decide.

My MOSL Rating Is Based on Test My Students Don't Take

NY City's brilliant and infallible Engage system has mandated that I be rated on a test the overwhelming majority of my students will not be taking. As far as I can determine, this is a side effect of the rather awful regulation called CR Part 154. You see, I'm an ESL teacher, but teaching ESL isn't real teaching. That's because under Part 154 anything not regarded as "core content" is utterly without value. After all, if it can't be measured with a standardized test, what proof is there that it even exists?

And yet, in fact, there is a standardized test to measure ESL progress. Sure it's a stinking piece of garbage, but it exists. This test is called the NYSESLAT. It used to test language acquisition, albeit poorly, but it's been redesigned to measure just how Common Corey our students are. For the last few years I've lost weeks of instruction so I could sit in the auditorium and ask newcomers endless questions about Hammurabi's Code. I'm not sure what effect this had on non-English speaking students, but I know more about Hammurabi's code than I ever have.

You may have read me lamenting the fact that I'd be measured on such a poor test once or twice. Last year, in fact, I must have done OK with it since I got an effective rating. I have no idea how exactly I did this. I don't teach to that test nor do I go out of my way to learn what's on it. With the oral part is so outlandish and invalid it doesn't seem worth my while to study the written part. So why the hell aren't I rated on this test?

It's complicated, and I can only guess. But Part 154 largely couples ESL with another subject area. In my school, that area is English. It's kind of a natural pairing, until you realize the high likelihood of ELL newcomers sitting around trying to read To Kill a Mockingbird when they can't yet tell you what their names are. After all, when English teachers take the magical 12 credits that render them dual-licensed, how can we be sure part of that training entails instruction to NOT give ELLs materials they CANNOT READ? Maybe the focus is on making stuff more Common Corey. Who knows?

My case is a little unusual. I majored in English as an undergrad, and started out as an English teacher. I only fell into ESL by accident. I recall some administrator walking up to me and asking, "How would you like to teach ESL?" My response was, "What's ESL?" The administrator said, "Try it." I did and I loved it. I turned down my very first appointment, got a job in the world's worst Irish wedding band, and took my Master's. Every day I'm grateful to have stumbled into this.

Decades later, I find myself one of a growing number of dual-licensed ESL/ English teachers in my department. This was convenient for me and my school. I am a certified English teacher and a real ESL teacher. With all due respect, I didn't just take 12 credits and claim certification. The down side, of course, is I am the official English teacher of my students. (Actually, I used to think that was an up side, but now if I'm gonna be rated by the English Regents I'm not sure.)

As a teacher of beginners, my students are sorted by English level rather than grade. The overwhelming majority of my students are in 9th and 10th grade. But there are six 11th graders too. The geniuses over at Advance have determined that I will be rated on their English Regents scores. Who am I to question the great and powerful minds over at Advance? Don't they have air-conditioned offices and make a whole lot more money than I do?

Of course ELLs take history courses that terminate in Regents exams, and their teachers will be judged by them. They take science and math courses and those teachers are stuck with the state scores too. I suppose they can factor in somehow that these students are ELLs. Maybe that makes the junk science a little fairer. On the other hand, if you teach five classes that's 150 students. While that's likely not a valid sample, it beats the hell out of six.

Like everyone I know, including Diane Ravitch, I have no idea how the hell these scores are calculated. It's some complex algorithm incomprehensible to all living humans I know, and that ought to be good enough for me. This notwithstanding, it's a bit worrying to be judged by a sample score of half a dozen students. It's particularly nerve-racking since I know for a fact that all of my students are beginners or near-beginners. That's why they're in my class.

But hey, when you have a teacher rating system based on junk science, stuff happens. So why shouldn't it happen to me?

UFT Executive Board March 27th--We Love CPE1 But Won't Pass Resolution of Support

Howard Schoor—Secretary—Says we’re almost ready to start, and that there are a few speakers.

Speakers:

Erica Pastorella—CL Queens Prep Academy—First year in school, hired from excess. Was no CL when she came in. CL had left school at end of last year, along with 11 others out of 29. Did not want to be CL right away, as art teachers at high risk of excess. No one wanted that position for fear of principal. Met UFT rep Washington Sanchez in February, who sought a CL. Formed a committee, which works well. Still needs a leader.

Schoor thanks her for her service.

Norm Scott—MORE--Abusive principals—Mulgrew said this was our biggest problem. The biggest crisis in our union is the power imbalance between union and teachers. I felt I had a little leverage, feel we don’t now, and feel union responsible. CLs leaving and principals have unfettered power. There is sword hanging over many people, including JHS 145. We’ve left them in a hold—will they get a job? What is their future?

CPE1 Run by Debbie Maier. We’ve watched that place be destroyed. Fariña is anti-union, anti-teacher. We continue to support mayoral control which enables this. We’ve seen manipulated charges hurting people, DRs know. Maybe that was Munich and maybe removal of Marilyn is invasion. This is crime against children. Blandness in this room very disturbing. There is no sense of outrage.

Townsend Harris—Same person destroyed math dept. at Bronx Science. We need to use our resources.

Thursday evert at CPE1. This union owes it to that school to be there in force. At PEP Rich was there. Our presence may have moved votes. We owe it to them to be there. We need to be accountable for what goes on in these schools.

Schoor—Minutes—passed.

Mulgrew is not here. Schoor states he's brought Artie Pepper, UFT Welfare Fund leader, in his place.

Pepper—Doesn’t know what’s happening with ACA. Your guess as good as mine. Knew they wouldn’t take away 26 age.

21st Century cures act. Worried about streamlined drug testing. E-prescribing now mandatory. Reduces fraud. Some scrips rejected because doctors use wrong program names.

Trying to control opioid abuse. Have to send out health coverage forms for tax purposes. Sent out 300,000, 14K rejected, had to resend. Catastrophic medical plan now available again. Have to be in-service and residing in NY State. (Opens April 17th, I’m told.)

Speaks of technology in medicine. Says we will be able to send info electronically via web. Shows us demos.

Here’s the question I didn’t get to ask him, since there were no questions—-Arthur Goldstein—MORE—My doctor just notified us he won’t accept GHI beginning next month. Several specialists we see have told us the same recently. Is this a trend and if so what are we doing about it?

Staff Director Report—LeRoy Barr—LIU professors coming to strike possibility, Rally during day on Thursday. LIU Brooklyn Campus 11-12, April 6. Also, CPE 1 rally that day. Much applause. Will give out details when I get them.  April 15th tax rally, asking Trump to show returns, at Bryant Park.

Immigration reso passed and we have been doing forums in Bronx and elsewhere. May 15th, Monday, 4:30 will have one here.

UFT 5K run May 6, 9 AM. Also school secretary luncheon here. Spring Conference May 13th.

April 28th HS Awards. Apr. 14 EB.

Schoor—Marcus asked about JHS 145 (though I'm pretty sure I did too). Says they have spoken to attorney. Attorney says we have not yet come to conclusion. Past suite was complete elimination of zoned schools,

Questions

Lamar Hughes—Have you heard of ICE agent incidents? How can we help to lower anxiety of that?

Schoor—Hasn’t happened, mayor put out guidelines. We think they are clear. It’s on DOE website.

Mike Schirtzer—MORE—Been reported that Tish James will take action as public advocate. Are we working with her and are there other plans.

A—We have respect for James and may reach out to her.

Schirtzer—MORE--In terms of CPE rally can those teachers facing 3020a be there?

Schoor—Yes.

CPE 1 teacher— Caller Asallas—rally at 4:30 in front of CPE 1. Welcomes all to SLT meeting at 3:30. 

Martin McCalin—When are we receiving salary increase?

Schoor—May 1.

Marcus McArthur—MORE—On plan to life charter cap—how Moskowitz taking over JHS 145—Governor planning to lift cap, seems like that will target our buildings and take over schools. How likely is cap to be lifted and how do we assess that threat. We have 10% of city population in charters and 50K waiting. What is our strategy?

Schoor—Threat is real. Senate GOP doesn’t want charters in their districts but wants them in NYC. Almost reached cap. We oppose it and lobby. Not final yet.

Michael Solo—Last month we discussed Regents scoring, passed resolution. Any updates?

Janella Hinds—Engaging with DOE. No movement for June but dealing w SAT day. Sent survey. Want to insure they are making good decisions around testing.


Arthur Goldstein—MORE—The OPT OUT movement helped us move Cuomo into a marginally better position. I’m told NYSUT took out billboards and sent out an email supporting OPT OUT. What is UFT doing about OPT-OUT?

Schoor—Less that 3% opted out in NY, not big issue here. This union has not voted to participate.

Kuljit Ahluwalia—New Action—How many people are still ATRs? How many were placed? Rumor is they won’t be rotated until June.

Schoor—Can’t comment on rumors. We are negotiating. Hope to get agreement but we are not there yet.

Amy Arundell—About 200 plus ATRs hired through incentive, around 800 rotating

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—Several meetings ago I asked about marches. People’s Climate March April 29th. Are we supporting this or helping people go?

Schoor—Will visit this Friday at AdCom. We need not pass reso. Will get back to you.

Reports from districts—

Jackie Bennett—Paying attention to ESSA. Ed. reform groups want to recreate NCLB. State had meetings on this to get feedback in five boroughs. UFT says don’t recreate NCLB. Thanks CLs and schools who came out.

Anne Goldman—Contractual victory—Nurses discouraged from being unionized. Bosses multi-billionaires. However, we have established strength and have on-time contracts for over 30 years. Just completed contract with Northwell. Improved pay, working conditions, protected pensions. Our strength is in organization. Celebrates ratified contract.

Dave Kazansky—UFT Labor Seder, 11th. 70 people of all faiths. Thanks everyone who was there. Invites us next year.

Duane Clark—CPE 1 rep. discussed concerns, met CL at reassignment center. Got mail from parents. We support CPE 1.

?—DR for District 75—Union proposed public school proud campaign—through all city, social media, 721M, most challenged students, larges sp. ed. district in world, had 8 students selected for special olympics in Austria. Welcomed them back. Gave them UFT bags, water bottles, were very proud.

Janella Hinds—On Friday Bronx UFT had college fair designed by our liaison. 1500 students came to Bronx UFT to see advisors. Replicated next day for parents. March 24th 106th anniversary Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, UFT was there. Honored women and teenagers who perished.

Sterling Roberson—Was proposal for certification for career and tech ed. Proposal means they don’t have to go through overlapping roadblocks. Stay tuned.

Schoor—Board of Regents will vote on it.

Tabio DaCruz—Behalf of Marion Manley—D27 holding SBO workshop April 26th, thanks Amy A.

(Schoor asks me to comment on popularity of question period, which I most certainly will.)

Legislative Report—Paul Egan

Budget season here, federal state and city. Our President suggested budget that would hurt single working parents while enriching the rich. 2 billion dollars would have to be made up elsewhere. Just the beginning. Will largely affect NY. NY State lawmakers skittish about passing budget. Looking at giving money to unaccountable, non-transparent charters. This and many other sticking points around, and no deal done until all deal is done. Missed deadline, first time in six years. Budget now extended. May be able to see fed. budget before they decide. This make city budget a mess too. Must be done by June 30th.

Will have to continue to advocate. Dems statewide attacked for being in pocket of NYC and DeBlasio in GOP districts.

Special order of business—

Janella Hinds—Initiative on voter registration. HS students reaching voting age while in school. We can support them to become registered voters. Asks for support.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—Rises in support and suggests we combine with voter registration for our own members.

Paul Egan—Over 80% of our members registered, but not all in NYC. Different counties have different policies. We could have 100%, but names need to be in our database and same as county database. People change addresses in one place or other, problematic. DRs having convo about constitutional convention.

Passes.

Arthur Goldstein—MORE—Tonight we have a school and a school community in crisis, a school suffering under the wholly gratuitous tyranny of an out of control principal. Ironically, this school is one founded on principles of functional democracy, a school that ought to be a model for us all. It’s deplorable to see the ostensible leader of this school trod all over its basic premise, a premise developed by renowned educational activist Deborah Meier. As President Mulgrew told this body just two weeks ago:

"Our biggest issue hands down is (the DOE’s) lack of responsibility with reigning in their principals. We will go after them at the school level. By law the superintendent is in charge. They are responsible for the actions of the principal. It is always best to have documentation when bringing any issues forward." 

Here is our chance to put those words in action. We have abundant documentation. We have firsthand testimony at our fingertips and in this very room. This is a golden opportunity for the United Federation of Teachers to walk the walk. Not only will we be giving much-needed support our brother and sister unionists and community members, but we’ll also be making a stand for the kind of innovative instruction and independent thinking we need to foster and enable for the students we serve.

I urge you to support this resolution (which you can read in full right here) and bring it to the Delegate Assembly this month.

LeRoy Barr—Rises to table motion. (Several seconds jump up instantly.)  Says we’ve heard of all the work we’re doing. We clearly stand with you. Heard from borough rep, about outreach. We agree with a lot of this stuff. Wants to table this because we are meeting with DOE and bringing this issue forward. Want to give them opportunity to work with this. Asks people to stand.

Schoor—Says I am not standing. Asks me to be sure to comment on that. I most certainly will.

Barr—Says he will come to rally, bring people to rally, and speak at rally. Still asks that we table this.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—After reso was written, DOE has raised the stakes. Not only is there no reconciliation, but they’ve gone after another non-tenured teacher today. Wants to argue against tabling.

Schoor—Not debatable

Halabi—New Action--Neither was motion to table. (Barr has commented on this.)

Schoor—Giving you two minutes, Thinks it’s against Robert’s rules.

Halabi—New Action--immediacy here, DOE escalating These people live at their school. In past chapters weren’t ready. This chapter is ready.

Schoor—Calls motion to table. Resolution is tabled. We are adjourned.

Chalkbeat NY--From Reforminess to White Supremacy

Chalkbeat NY has been showing its colors for years now, but has managed to reach a new low. That's not easy. I once wrote for them, back when they were Gotham Schools, and was subject to the most brutal editing process I've ever experienced. (I found this curious because there was some reformy teacher guy who wrote abject nonsense for them that appeared to flow freely without regard to accuracy, and they had no issue running a blatantly stereotypical takedown of ATR teachers.)

I've always questioned their judgment in links, but it has now started directing its readers to ultra-right wing Breitbart. (It now labels it a "national news organization aimed at ultra-conservatives," but that's not what it said the first time I saw the link. It called them simply "advocates.") For years I'd noticed them linking to every single NY Post editorial on the perfidy of teachers. It made no difference how nonsensical or baseless the attack. Of course every time the preposterous Gates-funded "Educators 4 Excellence" sneezed, there was Chalkbeat NY ready to report where every drop landed.

Naturally, when self-appointed education expert Campbell Brown started a reformy website, Chalkbeat NY eagerly linked to it. I often see "The 74" there, and I figure if that's what their readers want, well, they can have it.

But Breitbart is not merely reformy, or "aimed at ultra-conservatives." It's a veritable cesspool of hatred, and how the hell New York City's students, most of color, are supposed to be served by presenting Breitbart as a worthy source eludes me utterly. I mean, sure you can say "alt-right" instead of white supremacist, but at the end of the day you have to call a bigot a bigot, an anti-Semite an anti-Semite, and a racist a racist. I don't tolerate that in my classroom, but of course I'm a teacher. What could I possibly know about education? That's why you won't see me in Chalkbeat anymore.

Chalkbeat's got a very different point of view, and just blew Trump's Education Secretary Betsy DeVos a big old wet kiss.  Betsy's done a heckuva job in Detroit, and wants to introduce that particular brand of wonder and beauty to America as a whole. While students just like ours try to motivate through neglected rat-infested public schools or abysmal charters with no accountability, you can be sure Betsy's BFFs are profiting handsomely off the misery of the children she claims to be serving.

Donald Trump is a textbook bigot. He appeals to the worst of people, and has managed to capitalize on religious hatred. He has Breitbart founding member Steve Bannon in the West Wing. Does anyone seriously believe that Donald Trump is looking out for the welfare of the kids we serve? Does anyone think that Betsy DeVos holds some exalted philosophy that sets her apart from Trump and Bannon? And if she does, why on earth did she accept a job working for them? I mean sure, she gave hundreds of millions of dollars to GOP pols and bought the gig fair and square, but does anyone believe her philosophy is fundamentally superior to that of the people who placed her where she wanted to be?

Maybe Chalkbeat NY does. Evidently Chalkbeat NY thinks it's perfectly fine to link to "alt-right" sources. Certainly Chalkbeat NY has a right to its point of view. Certainly Chalkbeat NY represents someone.

But whoever that may be, it sure as hell isn't NY City's 1.1 million public schoolchildren.

BREAKING--President Trump Definitively Refutes Accusations of Russian Ties

Washington DC--President Trump gave a press conference this morning and said he was going to put false rumors to rest once and for all. He said all the nonsense about Russian ties was fake news, and that organizations like CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington post were, "a bunch of losers."

Trump had a wide array of ties from his Signature Collection, and all were made in China. In fact, just to show that he doesn't hate Mexicans who aren't rapists, murderers, drug dealers or Democrats, President Trump pointed out that the "Made in China" label was also written in Spanish.

President Trump then produced a taco bowl that the White House chef had prepared, While contending it was not as good as the ones at Trump Tower, he ate it rapidly and with enthusiasm. He did, however, spill a good deal of taco sauce on the tie. President Trump then ordered a well-done steak with ketchup for dessert, and once again managed to spill it. The President then removed the tie, left the room, and Kelly Anne Conway entered.



Several reporters noted the tie was dirty, but Conway dismissed those comments as fake news. She claimed the ties were perfectly fine, and that this was an alternative fact. Conway then took out a six pack of Trump-branded magic erasers and purposefully removed the stains. This reporter examined the tie, and had to admit it looked as good as new.

Conway then attacked Macy's and Nordstrom's for dropping Trump-branded products, and said we should all go out and buy lots of Trump-branded stuff. Conway said it was widely available online, and personally guaranteed that these products would make men irresistibly attractive to their adult daughters.

To their credit, only two of the gathered reporters actually vomited.

ESL Quiz

Please write full sentence answers to the teacher's questions, unless the teacher asks otherwise.

1. Where does your friend live?

2. What does your teacher do every day?

3. What are you doing right now?

4. What is your friend doing right now?

5. What are you going to do after school?

6. What were you doing at midnight?

7. What did you eat today?

8. What did you bring to school today?

9. How did you come to school today?

10. You don't have to answer this in a full sentence. 

For many years people have had conflicts. Sometimes there are conflicts with our neighbors. Sometimes we have conflicts within our families. We always try and find ways to resolve our conflicts. Sometimes we talk them out. Sometimes we shout at one another. Sometimes we end friendships.

When countries have conflicts, they have various ways of dealing with them. We have diplomats who meet and try to find solutions. Sometimes we make deals or trades. Sometimes, however, countries cannot come to agreements, and then we have wars. There have been many wars through the years, and of course while we try our best to avoid them, they seem to happen. Of course no one wants war.

Here is your question---When was the War of 1812?

College Board Allows ELLs to Use Dictionaries, Gives No Time

Our school is administering the SAT and PSAT on April 5th. With approval, students with IEPs can get time and a half. However, if you DON'T KNOW ENGLISH, too bad for you. You are expected to use a word for word translating glossary and hope for the best.

On a very basic level, this is absurd. If this test is designed to measure college readiness, it doesn't begin to do so. In fact, you have no idea how much knowledge or readiness a given student has when you give them a test in a language they don't understand. Such absurd and misleading use of testing is more or less and American tradition. I've read of speakers of other languages being classified as mentally deficient due to their lack of knowledge of English.

I'm just a little bit put out by this, as ALL of my students are beginners in English. In fact, most of them are taking these tests. What on earth their performance is supposed to prove? I have no idea. It's been a while since I've examined an SAT exam, but I'm pretty sure not knowing English is a fundamental disadvantage. In fact, I deem it cruel when they make newcomers sit for the NYSESLAT, the preposterous piece of nonsense that NY State purports to be a measurement of language acquisition. This is even worse.

I don't know how much College Board is getting for this citywide administration, but whatever it is it's too much. They're raking it in hand over fist for AP classes, and lots of schools let pretty much anyone take them, whether or not they sit for tests. I have an issue with a profit-motivated entity having this much sway over college admission, and maybe Harvard University, which just dropped its SAT requirement, does as well.

I've got some serious issues with stupid, and I can think of no other way to characterize this decision. If we're being reasonable, imagine that you and I are taking a test. You understand the language way better than I do, but I'm permitted to use a translating dictionary. Doesn't it stand to reason that every moment I spend using the dictionary is a moment lost to me? Is that so hard for the geniuses at College Board to comprehend?

I hear they are sticklers about fairness. If the test gives you 45 minutes, you damn well better not take 46 minutes. That would give your group an edge on every other. Given that, how can they allow ELLs to spend valuable test time looking up words? In fact, why the hell not give the test in other languages? Since they've so carefully estimated the precise measurements for how college-ready people are, why can't they find a translator?

Would that give an edge to my students? If it did, there are issues with the test. Actually I can understand how vocabulary might not be precisely translated, but they could make up for that with good translation. If I can read 100 Years of Solitude in English, College Board can translate its tests.

If they don't, they ought to give up any and all pretense of this test being fair. If they think it's fair, they can go to China with a dictionary and take college placement tests over there, with no extra time. I'll bet we'd discover a whole lot of the geniuses over at College Board are not college or career-ready after all.

School Survey ALMOST in Your Language

One of the factors about the school survey that appeals to me is it's given in the home languages of my students. So they can say whatever they wish, and actually understand what they are talking about. That makes sense, doesn't it?

Chinese, though, which many of my students speak, is problematic. Students from mainland China, the overwhelming majority of Chinese speakers I serve, are taught to read and write in simplified Chinese. The survey is given in traditional Chinese. My co-teacher happens to be from Taiwan, where they use traditional Chinese. It was pretty odd for me to see her running around translating Chinese for speakers of Chinese.

How on earth did the geniuses at the DOE manage to be unaware that traditional Chinese is not the norm for most Chinese speakers? Why do I know this while they don't? I guess at my lowly level my job entails actually talking to real students and teachers, and therefore I learn things they simply do not. In fairness, many words are the same or similar. So students can guess. But when you're issuing a survey, and you want precise answers, you ought to know your audience.

The College Board runs AP classes. I understand that, in AP Chinese, students may choose between traditional or simplified Chinese. In fact, the city offers a LOTE language exam, which is a substitute for the former NY State language Regents exams, with that very same option. (New York State, evidently, deems language unworthy of value, which is surely why they dropped language Regents exams. It's also ESL teachers have largely been reduced to assistant teachers via Part 154.) So here's the thing--if the city knows the LOTE needs to be written two ways, why hasn't this knowledge been shared with the writers of the student survey?

It's been a number of years since I had to submit paperwork to the DOE. I'm sure things are different now, but I remember having to bring my college transcripts a number of times. I say "bring" because I stopped mailing them stuff once I realized they pretended to lose absolutely everything you sent them. On one occasion, while I was demanding a receipt for the most recent copy I'd brought them, I asked, "Why do you need these? I just sent them in a few months ago."

"Oh, that copy is on the fifth floor sir. We're on the ninth floor."

You know, you'd hope that, with computers, such problems would become fewer and further between. Still, I can only surmise that the people on the fifth floor, the ones who write the LOTE, do not converse regularly with those on the ninth floor, the ones who write the survey. And who wins? Why bureaucracy of course. Things are complicated and incomprehensible for no particular reason.

How do you feel when you hit snafus like that? How would you feel if you got a survey, everyone told you how vitally important it was, and it was almost written in English? I don't know about you, but I'd be fairly pissed off. Would I trash the school for it? Maybe. Maybe not. But I'd think the people who designed the survey were idiots.

If I were around fifteen years old, like my students who took the survey, that might color my opinion even more than it does now.

Update--A teacher friend of mine tells me that Regents exams are also offered only in traditional Chinese.

UFT Executive Board March 27th, 2017

Note--Most of the Executive Board was in Albany for Lobby Day. Meeting lasted 26 minutes.

Howard Schoor welcomes us, points out many members are in Albany or on way back.

Minutes—approved.

President’s Report—Mulgrew not here.

Staff Director’s Report—LeRoy Barr—Education forum successful. In Rye, CL training Part 3. Next Monday Exec. Board again. Today is Lobby Day, most members are there. Over 800 members there for second go round. Spring recess April 10-18. When we return, we have DA.

Questions

Arthur Goldstein—MORE—-CEC voted to keep JHS 145 open, while PEP voted to close it. What are our next steps to support our brothers and sisters in JHS 145?

Schoor—Lawyers will check. Not sure it is illegal, but we prevented 19 schools from being closed. We will not allow them to violate law. Will keep you updated.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—When people are brought up on charges sometimes they can return to teach, but are placed in ATR pool. How can we stop this?

Schoor—Big issue for UFT. One way is they get fined and become ATRs. We are in negotiations with DOE. That is part of our discussions but we don’t have an agreement yet. Went back to 2011 agreement. Was lawsuit lost that said any kind of discipline and person can be moved. We are trying to change that.

Ashraya Gupta—MORE—Colleague has son with IEP. Also at public school. We cover for her so she can make it to IEP meetings. Do we have any way so staff can attend IEP meetings?

Schoor—School by school decision. We do have personal business days. A-601 says principal may allow people to come late but doesn’t have to. Bring it up in consultation.

Carmen Alvarez—There is no right by law. You have to negotiate with your school.

Marcus McArthur—MORE—Re: CPE and AFT campaign against Right to Work. Randi Weingarten just sent a petition against this. CPE is progressive school fighting abusive admin. I feel strongly about this, having experience. Great teachers and unionists protected me and that’s why I can stand here. Randi said pols have to make economy work for working people, respect voice. Made me think of CPE. Two parts—what do we know about AFT campaign around RTW, and second, what does UFT leadership think about organizing around CPE as a way to actively demonstrate what Randi is talking about, voice in workplace, and fighting unions.

Schoor—RTW already in majority of states. We’ve gone to states to organize. Several people sitting here have helped people sign up. Not sure about AFT campaign but I will make sure we do what we have to do here. We will bring that school up to chancellor to see what they are going to do. Watched video, is compelling. We will bring it up and report back.

Report from districts

Schoor—Working on professional conciliation, article 24. Not just in teacher contract, but also in several others. Way to try and resolve matters. Had two high schools with issues in choosing a novel. We are trying to make this a more professional situation where we have voice. We did a survey and 72 schools reported no curriculum whatsoever. Board used to have a division, for every subject. Board had experts. Bloomberg did away with that. There are now funds, but not mandated curriculum.

Legislative report—Paul Egan absent

Schoor—Demonstrations around city against GOP Senators who support charters. Around state were demos against other GOP Senators. Very close to charter folks. Many uncertified teachers in charters. Budget due on Friday, may be extended

Arthur Goldstein—MORE—Doesn’t Cuomo take money from them too?

Schoor—Sure he does. Many pols do. We have to make sure people we support get elected.

LeRoy Barr—In support of health care for all—Our President is giving a lesson in politics. He thinks his political situation is like business, that he decrees and it is so. Glad he is getting his comeuppance. Glad to see town halls with people raising voice. They didn’t realize they would take health care away from 24 million people. We want to make sure whatever they go forward with, that it’s responsive to people’s needs. We oppose GOP act, want to improve safety net. Most sensible course is single payer. Want to mobilize members to fight for all people having affordable health care. Either they have access or you will have other issues. Please support.

Passes unanimously.

We are adjourned.

The NYC Investigator

Yesterday I was visited by some charming representatives from the City of New York. They were doing an investigation, and I got called out of one of my classes. A member was sitting there. It was not very difficult to know what to say.

"Please give us your card. The member will be happy to speak with you as soon as we have representation."

I've been chapter leader for eight years now. I was trained to say this, I tell all my members to say the same thing, and that's the protocol. In the last eight years, I know of only one member who failed to follow this advice. He was fired. I'm not saying that wouldn't have happened anyway, but I'm absolutely certain it didn't help.

Every time I've given the card speech, the  rep has handed the card, and the member was represented. One of these guys was different, though. He was indignant.

"Do you know what this is about?" he asked.

"No, I don't."

"Do you care what this is about?"

"No, I don't."

Whatever it's about, the protocol is the same. The investigators from are not our friends. I've seen them drag people through the mud for no reason.  They might say you aren't the target and target you anyway. But this guy, he had an answer.

"YOU don't care about CHILDREN! All YOU care about is protecting TEACHERS!"

There was some back and forth and I told him that was a strawman.

"YOU don't know what a strawman IS!" declared the investigating genius.

In fact I know very well what a strawman is. A strawman is a logical fallacy. It's when you fabricate or misrepresent your opponent's argument in such a way to make it look ridiculous or impossible to defend. It's when you tell your opponent what he thinks. Actually, though, this was also an attempt to rattle me. And it worked. I was pretty angry. I work for children every day of my life. I will not hesitate to go to jail for them if guys like this one come into my classroom. 

I went outside with the member, who told me what the issue was. We then went back inside. I decided to make him mad this time.

"We've discussed the issue. NOW I know what we're talking about. Please give us your card and the member will call you as soon as we have representation."

The DOE guy got visibly upset, screaming more about how I don't care about children. Evidently, if I cared about children I would advise my members to give up their rights to due process. I would tell them to submit to the lies and manipulation of guys like these without question. Then the kids, the ones this guy cares about and I don't, could grow up into a world in which they unquestioningly submit to guys like this one.

I asked the guy if he fancied himself the Amazing Kreskin, what with his reading my mind and all. I told him I'd be filing a complaint about him. I don't much appreciate being slandered and vilified for doing my job. He then turned to the member, and shouted, "Well, if you won't talk now, we're not coming back here. You'll have to come to Manhattan, or maybe Brooklyn." Threats and intimidation designed to make the member give up due process.

You know what? Everyone should get due process. Accused murderers get lawyers. Whatever happened, my member needs to be protected. If my member isn't protected, the children this man supposedly cares for won't be either.

Later that afternoon I called 311 to file a complaint. After much conversation they told me they were switching me over to DOE, and that I could file the complaint anonymously. I told them I didn't want to be anonymous and they said that was OK too. I told them if it was DOE I'd like to do this through UFT instead, so I hung up and reached out to someone there. I figure a complaint from the United Federation of Teachers will carry more weight than it will from just me.

But if they don't do it, I'll do it myself. Whatever happened in this case will come out, and the city is simply going to have to follow procedures to make that happen. Their bullying and intimidation tactics change nothing. I guess, though, that they work sometimes, maybe often, and that's why we need to answer them.

The only thing I regret is that I lost my temper as well. Clearly that was this guy's intention. That won't happen again. When kids do that to me, I'm ready. I respond to provocation with complete calm, offer gentle reproaches, and think about what I'll do next. That's what I'll do the next time this or any other city rep tries to intimidate me.

Correction--I'm now told that this agency is not part of DOE, despite what 311 told me. I've revised the piece to reflect this.

Julio Awaits

It's been a non-stop week for me. On Monday I was at UFT Exec. Board, Tuesday our school had School Leadership Team, Wednesday was the UFT Delegate Assembly, and last night was a parent-teacher conference. On TOP of all that, I actually had to show up to work each and every day. In fact, I'm here now as I had to do it again today.

I've been to a lot of parent-teacher conferences and there is a certain art to it. For example, you need to get your message out, listen to the parent's message, and see if you can come to some agreement. This notwithstanding, you have to keep an eye on how many parents are around and calculate just how much time there is. Some of your kids are great, and you just want to sit and talk to them all night, but that can be a problem. There's always some list of parents who don't get to see you, and you need to call each and every one of them in that case.

So you sit and calculate how much time you have, and you conclude the meetings once there seems nothing more to accomplish. Of course, if you have a co-teacher that doesn't always work out. Let's say, for example, that you stand up and say thank you for coming and she doesn't. What exactly is the etiquette for that situation? I'm not sure, but what actually happens is you stand there like an idiot while she concludes the conversation. This can be particularly awkward when the conversation is in Chinese and you haven't got the remotest notion what the hell they're talking about.

If you happen to speak Spanish, you can wreak vengeance by dominating the conversations she doesn't understand. Sadly, that's not a practical strategy. You've got two and a half hours, and after getting up ridiculously early each day and staying out each night, the prime directive has to be getting out on time so you can get that precious 8 minutes of sleep your body craves. So you whisper things like, "We've got eight more parents waiting for us," and hope for the best.

But sometimes things go awry. For example, I rushed my co-teacher to finish with a girl who disappeared semester one, only to return two weeks ago. We didn't really have much to say except she's only been here for two weeks. I later discovered that her dad was about to reveal the mystery of her disappearance and I ended the interview just before it was solved.

Now it's not an ideal situation. One way I prepare is by making actual appointments to see parents of students with major issues before these events. I actually had a conference with a parent Wednesday, and while it may or may not have been successful, at least I didn't have to spend an extra half hour at work last night. Sometimes it's practical to hang out, I suppose, as there could be a parent you really need to connect with. Nonetheless, I managed to get out on time.

My co-teacher, alas, was not so lucky. As chapter leader, I teach four classes rather than five. Some parents of students she teaches solo showed up, and she had to stay. She appealed to my sense of justice. "You're my co-teacher so you have to stay with me," she said. That didn't fly with me.

All my family was out having big fun somewhere or other, and I had priorities. I've got a little boy at home, pictured above, who depends on me. If I didn't get home ASAP, he was going to explode. I rushed home, got Julio out of the house quickly, and all was good with the world.

It's all about priorities.

UFT DA March 2017--UFT President Shuts Down Move to Amend JHS 145 Reso

• Announcements

Mulgrew thanks us for being here.  Moment of silence for UFT members who’ve passed.

President’s report—Michael Mulgrew

National—Says we’ve set out a strategy and now have to adjust to changes. We can now officially get rid of Friedrichs and say Janus, out of Illinois. On schedule for fall docket of SCOTUS.

Said our strategy has to be to protect NY from DC. Says he will call President 45. Plan to repeal Obamacare will be voted on tomorrow. Congressman Collins from Buffalo bribed for his vote. Still has to go to Senate, but if it passes Congress, it’s now shifted a huge cost, 2.4 billion, to NY State. Until we extend or expand millionaire’s tax, we already have 3.5 billion deficit.

We’re within 12 days of budget. If we have to put plan for additional 2.4 billion, it’s a big problem. Mayor and governor working together. NYC reps understand this. Points to Andrew Pallotta from NYSUT, says he’s working with us.

We are in constant attack politically, besides challenges in workplaces. Won’t be easy. How many times can we say Public School Proud and we have to do this and that. Says we are the leadership and we have to keep pushing or they will win.

If NY pols want to screw NY worse than anyone else, they will hear from us. Says he wants to show John Oliver but language is too bad.

Likes that we can use Trump’s ed. budget to say we told you so. ESSA is still the law. Once you pass a law, it’s then up to the agency, which sets regs. Law remains and regs give guidance. ESSA regs have been rescinded. Looks like they will leave ESSA rescind regs, and thereby enable budget.

Additional funds for Title one, without regs, can be a billion dollar voucher program. Title 2A is teacher PD, Saturday, after, summer school. Trump’s person said nothing proves after school or feeding children makes them do better in school.

They want to defund, destabilize public ed. and say it doesn’t work. Want more money for charters, no transparency or accountability. Says pols are either for local public school or against it. Says we now have the most famous Secretary of Ed. in US, for wealth and incompetence.

Says this relates to Lobby Day and we will tell state officials. Education and health care are biggest pots of money and we are working together. Thanks Paul Egan for reorganizing after blizzard. We need to say Feds want to destroy public ed. and ask if they are with us or against us.

Talks snow day. Says some people have to report. It is not contractual that you report. City makes decision school based personnel have to report. Mulgrew asks why others don’t, and is told they have to take personal days. Union didn’t and wouldn’t agree to this. We have no more snow days. If we get another blizzard day added on at end of school year. Next year’s calendar has two snow days. In my heart I stand with people who say St. Patrick’s should be holiday, but torn as union leader.

Tonight there is a PEP panel closing schools. You will hear a lot about Renewal Program in mayor’s race. Third doing well, third stable, and third moving down. Tonight they are voting on 145 in the Bronx. If no supports are offered we need to tell the tale. We have reformers saying public schools are failing, will use closing schools as examples. If nothing is being done by DOE behooves them to change what’s going on. I go to Banana Kelly which is all of a sudden in better place and see a happy staff with collaborative leadership.

Teachers. counselors and secretaries have bosses. We follow directions. Administrators also have bosses, superintendents responsible to chancellor. Fault rises up when there is failing leadership. If we don’t move all of our schools reformers us this against us.

Proud of mayor for saying ICE won’t enter schools without warrant, as students were fearful. You can’t tell us our job is to protect children and ask us to step aside when people come into our buildings. ICE said we will not enter buildings except under exigent students. We don’t know what that means but we’ll see. Parents have said they are fearful.

Despite all that Public School Proud working well, will push after budgets. Will report next month.

Vouchers and tax credits across country are unprecedented. Outside NYS people are disgusted. Fewer people in ed. schools. This isn’t helpful. Still we need to educate children.

Feds no longer fund community learning schools. Teacher choice, dial a teacher and BRAVE we will push.

OPW under teacher discretion. Exception when principal mandates something, Part of arbitration.

Speaks of success in paperwork complaints.

Says principals are departmentalizing everything, including kindergarten. From K-3 departmentalization requires SBO.

4-6 ELA and math are posted positions but preference sheets must go out before decision. Departmentalizing anything else is SBO.

DOE is now approved CTLE vendor. We worked to help them because was in member interest. We can’t do their work for them. They have to do paperwork to be approved. They also have to get approved instructors. We have quite a few approved, but Monday PD is not approved because NYSED wants to know how DOE will be sure it meets criteria.

We started last June but putting CTLE together took a lot of work. DOE doesn’t work as fast as we do.

We have to stick to our plan, insulate NY, push people on public ed., renew coalitions. Saturday this place was full of guidance counselors. Thanks chapter. Saturday PM 1100 paras celebrated. Previous Sat. early childhood. College and career fair last week. Thanks Janella Hinds.

Says this is righteous fight. We’re right, they’re wrong. We’re good they’re bad. Says we take fight to them, support friends, we win. 5:10

Staff Director’s Report—LeRoy Barr

College and careers called future in focus 460 students, 26 unions, made sure children are college and career ready. Thanks Janella Hinds. Early childhood conference, guidance conference, para luncheon, March 25th, Men in Education Forum starting at 9. CL weekend. Please call and fax and thank those who participate. PEP meeting tonight, asks people to leave and show support for this school. Rich Mantel there now. We have resolution there. Go to Tweed and show support for school, against Moskowitz Academy. Enjoy break.

Questions

CL—DOE hired Randy Asher. Is DOE really trying to help ATRs or will he try to fire them?

We try to protect ATRs. We went five years with no contract and didn’t sell them out. Would have made us at will employees. Have spoken with Asher, willing to work with him. You could utilize existing agreements. I don’t know their intent. We’ll see where it goes.

CL—How can we coordinate with other unions against constitutional convention?

We are coordinating. We’ve done more school visits and may be ahead of curve. They say we only care about our pensions. Of course we’re concerned about them. Shows they don’t understand constitution. Pension is agreement. We pay this, you pay that, and this is what we get when I meet conditions for retirement. Reason is that many people didn’t get what was promised. NY State said agreement was agreement. Pols used to protect working people.

You will see this amp up after budget is settled. Great piece in New Yorker about reclusivee billionaire, donates to Trump, and a lot of money for constitutional convention.

CL—Charters—original concept was collaboration, laboratory, been eroded and made negative. Can we put forward Shanker’s view instead of DeVos’?

This was not Shanker’s idea. He changed position when he realized it was about privatization. No one remembers that. We have many examples of good ideas being mutated into bad ones. DeVos thing led us to good place with state officials. If charters solve problems, fine. If they make money or don’t take all kids we don’t want them.

History of vouchers was to avoid segregation. Some in south closed public schools and gave vouchers. Deprived African American students of school. This history will be told again. You don’t have choice if voucher covers pittance or if you’re cut out. No choice when you destroy public ed.

CL—Members worried about TRS letters saying they are at a deficit. They are receiving lump sum based on retroactivity, Pension contributions problematic.

Don’t freak out. Retro can’t be included in final pension, but is part of pay that must be included in pension. Ask Tom Brown and we will help.

Delegate—CTLE hours. Paras concerned. Having hard time getting to UFT. Issue is it’s good idea but it’s coming so much during our time. Paras don’t get paid on our level and teachers not paid on level of being constantly certified. Police laugh at us. We are giving away a lot of time. can we do this during school hours?

One of the reasons why we helped DOE become CTLE certified is this. We have four more years to get 100 hours. We will develop more in regular day.

Motions

Paul Egan—UFT supports proposal to keep people in homes and save people millions. Home stability. Passes.

Peter Lamphere—MORE—Supports JHS 145 and DA adjourning to join PEP in solidarity. Defeated

Political Endorsements—Paul Egan—Recommends endorsement of Stringer for Comptroller. Record as great advocate of our union. Stands up for our pensions and NYC fiduciary responsibility.

Michael Freedman—CL—Says he defeated Moskowitz for Manhattan borough prez.

Marjorie Stamberg—opposes Democrats and Republicans. 40% of people prefer socialist.

Question called.

Endorsement passes.

Egan—Recommends Laticia James—Didn’t defeat Moskowitz but has great track record in NYC.

Question called.

Passes

57th Anniversary UFT—Resolution—Mel Aaronson—In 1960 UFT formed through merger, and many other groups joined. Teachers all over America benefited from our work in becoming first local in country to have collective bargaining. Took a lot of work including three strikes, but this thanks those who came before us. Pledges our continued fight for what we look forward to, better ed., civil and labor rights.  Further supports fact we will support each other in safe and healthy workplace. Urges everyone to support.

Dave Pecoraro—calls question

Mulgrew asks veterans from 1960 to stand. Much applause. Standing ovation.

Regents Grading

Janella Hinds—This resolution covers scoring for Regents exams. Says what happens in January and June is waste of time and resources. We seek better system. We would like tests moved and people to remain in their schools. Asks for support.


Arthur Goldstein—MORE—For the last few years, midyear Regents exams have been a mess at my school and others. One year the principal decided that we would proctor school midterms that week. It was a disaster, as no one remembered that ESL students also take tests, and administration for students with special needs was virtually impossible at this volume. We had a new and improved plan this year that also did not work with members, who had a ton of mandated projects and no time to grade them.

This will also save the city a ton of money, which could be used for a whole slew of purposes more worthy than correcting tests. The state raises cut levels to make us look bad, and lowers them to make politicians look good. I understand that they might therefore assume we are as corrupt as they are. I’d argue there’s no reason we shouldn’t grade our own students, but since regulations rule that out, I’ll argue there’s no reason we shouldn’t grade other students from our schools. In fact, smaller districts all over the state do just that. Honestly if we aren’t honest or capable enough to grade papers, i have no idea why they even hired us.

But since they did, I urge you to vote for this resolution and restore some small degree of teacher autonomy.

CL Bryant Georgia ?—speaks against, says this is opportunity to meet other colleagues, says principals will pressure teachers, and there’s good per session.

Retired teacher—Says if tests are changed and moved, doesn’t believe principal of one school will ask you change tests for other schools. Saves money and makes sense.

Question called.

Passes

Carmen Alvarez—Support of Immigrant New Yorkers—Speaks of undocumented and fears. Federal threats chill our young people and their families. Asks we support them.

Marjorie Stamberg—Wants to amend. Would like to add to stop broken windows arrests, which undercut claim NYC is sanctuary city. Would like to not permit ICE or other immigration officials in our schools, will stop deportations.

Stuart Kaplan—opposes amendment—says resolution speaks to supporting immigrants. Says it supports families. Amendment would take away from nature of what resolution is written to do. Says we should stand with what DOE says.

Retired teacher—Understands amendment is illegal. If ICE has subpoena they can come in.

Speaker supports reso opposes changes. Compliments Stamberg. Says reso says to city you are doing right thing.

Question on amendment called.

Amendment defeated.

CL—Asks to close all matters.

Resolution passes. 5:55

Karen Allford—Supports Juvenile justice reform. Our goal is to make sure all kids read by third grade. We’ve seen coaches, libraries, after school programs but with 1.1. million kids some may be incarcerated. We don’t want 16 and 17 year olds with adults. They are children and we must support them to raise the age. Only NY and NC do this. Please support.

Question called.

Passes unanimously. 5:57

LeRoy Barr—Supports Resolution in support of JHS 145. Spoke about this a lot. Don’t want it replaced with Moskowitz Academy. We should attend tonight and make DOE do their job. A school that wants to succeed needs opportunity to do so. Please support.

Delegate from Adult ed.—Was heartbreaking to see students, former students and teachers say what they had not had. DOE sat there and said it was done deal. Moskowitz has already advertised she has space. Didn’t make a difference. Time to become rowdy.

Dave Pecoraro calls question.

James Eterno calls to amend—

Mulgrew says it is a courtesy—after back and forth rules Eterno out of order—doesn’t allow him to speak.

We are adjourned.

Update: Here is Eterno's proposed amendment.

When Students Step Up

When you have a co-teacher, a lot of things are different. You can immediately deal with a student issue by taking that student out in the hall and discussing whatever there is to discuss. Immediately things get better. Or worse. Or stay the same. But hey, at least you tried. Forgot that handout? You can go get it. Sent a student to the nurse's office and you suspect he's walking the halls having big fun? Go check.

There are some things that you do, and some things your co-teacher does. You develop a routine. You write a lesson, and she makes it look more Danielson than you would. Is that a good thing? Who knows? But if it's Danielson it's better when someone is observing, even if Danielson herself doesn't buy into that train of thought. Maybe your co-teacher decides she should take attendance, and maybe she does it better than you would. Maybe much better.

But if you're gonna be absent, you have to alert your co-teacher. You can't just leave her hanging. Are you the one who wrote the plan for the day? Will she be the one hanging in the wind when the Part 154 police come to make sure you're doing whatever the hell it is they want you to do? Regardless, you have to be careful. I haven't actually been absent this year, though I've had a few times I thought I would. But as chapter leader I have to go to meetings all the time, so she's been on her own on more than one occasion.

On the other hand, I hadn't taught solo since last year. I was actually pretty nervous one day last week when my co-teacher didn't show up. I didn't tell her that, of course. Don't worry, everything will be fine I said. Actually it was. One big reason was that one of my students got up and decided it was her job to help. When I asked why this student was absent, she identified two more. When I had to hand out papers she took half. When I had to call people to the board she said, "I'll do it."

In fact, she sat at the teacher desk and kept an eye on what was going on. She gave people looks. You know the look. Usually only teachers have it. But this kid saw a need and she filled it, having never done anything like that in her young life. Then a boy who sits in front decided that he was going to help too.

Sometimes when there is a need people just step up. Like when the most verbal student in your class is placed in another class, suddenly another student becomes the most verbal. It makes you wonder just how much verbiage you've left untapped. I guess we never will, and the best we can hope is that those groups and pairs you set up actually result in more worthwhile conversation. Of course you can never know whether the ones you aren't watching are just gesticulating and pretending to make sounds so you will shut the hell up and leave them alone.

But I'm encouraged when kids I like and respect step up and give me new reasons to like and respect them. I'm particularly encouraged when they just step up and do it on their own without any request from me. It's really more than I have any right to expect.

UFT Executive Board March 20, 2017--CPE1 in House, JHS 145 Reso Watered Down

Secretary Howard Schoor tells us there will be five speakers tonight.

From Central Park East 1—James Schoff—Thanks teachers and parents. Says new principal came to school, was less democracy and teacher voice. Progressive school, practices do not match standard curriculum, principal was disruptive. Tenured teachers pushed back and were under investigation for various charges. Some unsubstantiated, others ongoing. Whenever she is challenged there is investigation. Supe refused to engage, but met some with parents. Only 3 tenured teachers left in school. 5 teachers left last year. 2 currently under investigation. As far as he knows, charges unfounded. New untenured teachers afraid to speak. If teachers can still teach we want them returned to our school. Without them our school will fail. They are talented and to make them ATR would be a crime.

Bonnie Massey—parent, UFT social worker, son went to CPE 1 because it was democratic and progressive, staff was empowered. Since new principal, kids are learning something other than democracy. 70% of parents want her removed. We have worked very hard, and been ignored and insulted. Principal has lied to parents, tried to pit them against one another, created unsafe environment. Oversaw largest drop of scores in city last year. Traumatized teachers and children over lies, targeted CL and delegate. Hostile and unsafe work environment. Asks for your support. Mulgrew said he would protect our children, and we need support. Offers info packets.

Marilyn Martinez—CL of CPE 1 sitting in rubber room, going through process. True they have not put in grievances. As school they wish to take care of issues in democratic way. Has been impossible with new principal. I am going through 3020a for my involvement and opposition. High teacher turnover rate should raise flags. Teachers disappearing. Teachers not receiving support, facing removal procedures. Teachers forced to leave. Fears for colleagues still in school, wondering who is next. Who is Monica Gart and why is she so privileged?

Fran Myers—Adult Ed.—Says it is weakest link of our union chain, can be used to break union. Expresses solidarity with CPE1. Says we need to be visible and support one another. Similar things happening in adult ed. since Rosemary Mills is supe. All old principals are out along with many APs. Some retired and other couldn’t take her directives to unfairly U rate people. Signed non-disclosure agreements. Asks for investigation of her hiring practices, says they are from one part of the world.

Schoor—Give us a list of issues and we will take it up with DOE.

Minutes—approved. EB and Adcom.

Mulgrew arrives—6:17

President’s Report—

Federal—Budget—Says he will say 45 instead of President’s name. Was all we expected. Using this in Albany. Knew they would come after public schools. Title 2 gone, no community schools, no class size, no PD. Base title 1 left intact because it was in legislation. Suspended and killed ESSA guidelines and regs. Says they don’t want to open it up again. SCOTUS started today but no one listens because of Russia investigation. We want to use Fed things to gain state influence. NY Senate had egregious charter language, we’ve faxed and visited all over. We say they are DeVos puppets. Most well-know Sec. of Ed. is DeVos. If you know her you don’t like her. We have to push.

Dept. of Labor cut 20%, hurts seniors, jobs, safety.

I said there was a storm coming, it’s here and we are prepared. Saturday we had a para fest. We packed room with guidance counselors. Early childhood conference packed. All had PD, all were here, and we talk of how we have to work with parents and push back. We had faith based breakfast. Texas has no vouchers because ministers work to lobby for public schools. Texas minister came here and we will try to organize them here.

DC constantly in disarray. Some people say it’s on purpose to slide things through when no one is looking.

Second snow day. We don’t want a third. Snow days not contractual. Some members have to come in—all city workers except school based personnel. Two snow days next year. If we have to make up time they will add it at year’s end. Says members should know about snow day limitations.

Dave Hickey will do presentation on finances of UFT in a few weeks for EB. Says there is fake news about UFT being two months behind on dues. Says we are never behind on dues. In January city collects them and we don’t get them until March. We’ve always been on time. We have solidified financial shape of union. People who’d hurt us start investigations that we pay for.

Our expenses have gone down and extra money goes into service. We did a resolution when 45 won and we filed and refinanced our properties. We didn’t wait for interest rates to go up. We have our own politics with DOE. We still have friction. Our biggest issue is their lack of responsibility reigning in principals. Everyone has a boss and principals can’t do whatever they wish.

I am going after superintendents because they are responsible for principals. They are the reason we had to put up with bad principals. We have to also do work in Albany. This is not a fluke that’s going away. People in government want to kill public education and destabilize school systems, introduce privatization.

Our union will be strong financially, prepared for attacks, but we are the ones at the forefront of this fight. In state houses controlled by people who don’t like public ed., controlled by rich people, it’s a very tough fight. We will amp up the fight. Thanks us for work we’ve been doing. Amazing that our events are full. Activists know what is going on.

Mulgrew moves resolution up. So moved.

Refinancing passes.

Mulgrew says this is our fight and we’re not going to lose. Everyone loves neighborhood public

schools. DC wants to snuff out education for millions of children.

6:37 Mulgrew leaves

Catlin Preston—teacher at CPE 1 for nine years. First signer of letter to principal, eleven days later had first LIF for insubordination, 11 days later, second, one year ago was reassigned. March completed 3020a. Pattern of administrative abuse. Teachers suffer, no consideration for children, asks for action. 

Staff Director’s Report—LeRoy Barr

Speaks of conferences for paras and counselors. DA Wednesday. Saturday Men in Education Symposium. CL Training next day. EB next week.

Arthur Goldstein MORE—Regents week has become problematic for some large Queens high schools, including Francis Lewis and Bayside. It’s also hugely expensive for the city, which now has to pay a whole lot of money for things we used to do as a matter of course. I’m thinking money like that could be better used, for example, to preclude higher medical copays for UFT members. In any case, I’ve been told that if the Exec. Board passes something and it doesn’t go the DA it becomes UFT policy. First, is that true?

If so, I’d like to ask when you are going to discuss Janella’s resolution about Regents week with the DOE.  IF not, I’d like to know when this is going to be introduced at the DA. (People on dais seem to think it's not true. Michael Shulman, from audience says it is and Schoor says he stands corrected.)

Schoor—Will be resolution 2 next week.

Janella Hinds—Regents has been problem for last two years. Is high on agenda. Hoping to pass it Wednesday.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—Thanks speakers, says President spoke to issue. CPE was a particularly progressive school People who applied wanted to work there. Family at my school said it’s important we support Marilyn. Would like this to be poster child for Public School Proud campaign. Gratified to hear superintendent would hear from us. Would like to hear reports on supe who undermines type of school she runs. Looking forward to report. Can we hear specifics about this?

Schoor—We are open and respond to questions. We will respond.

Mike Schirtzer—MORE—We got an email from Mulgrew about Trump plan that we could lose 140 million in funding. But we are going to the state and NY State Government owes us, according to AQE, 1.9 billion dollars based on CFE. Are we doing something about that on Lobby Day? What’s our plan going forward. If we get that money we could give big middle finger to Mr. Trump.

Paul Egan—Lobby Day is always about budget. That’s why DOE allows us to be released. All our discussions will be about that. Will we get 2 billion? I don’t think so but we will keep pressure on them. We want NYC to get its fair share. In Albany more elected Dems than GOP but GOP controls. We need to get along with IDC but will hold all accountable.

Reports from districts

Janella Hinds—reports event that took place March 9th—College and careers. Students from 30 schools. Got great feedback and very proud. Will be second next year.

Ellen Dreisen—District 20—May is public school proud arts month. Schools will do performances. We’re very excited. Superintendent invited DeVos

Shelvy Abrams—Saturday over 1000 members. Many new, had never been to such a function. Many honored by their peers. Thanks everyone.

Arthur Goldstein MORE—A few weeks ago several teachers and I joined Vice President for Education Evelyn de Jesus at the NYSABE, or NY State Association for Bilingual Education Conference., I’ve never been in a group so large where everyone had such a razor sharp focus on the kids with whom I work every day. Everywhere I went were people focused on their future. We sat at tables with superintendents and principals, people of whom I’m generally suspicious, and the thing we mostly discussed was how we can keep our kids safe.

Michael Mulgrew told NYSABE if they came for our kids they’d have to arrest us. I was very happy to hear him say that and I’m ready to join him if it comes to that.

Evelyn can’t be here right now, but one thing I heard her say several times, was that she was ready for whatever happens. She said in Spanish, better than I could, that she could dance if they wanted, or fight if she had to.I’m happy to say, though, that in this union, in this city, and at NYSABE, there seems to be no sunlight between our positions on protecting the children we serve every day.

Paul Egan—Legislative report—Lobby day postponed because it was on blizzard day. We started again and booked again. As of now we have 750 people. Sadly day before testing. Still time to sign up.

We will also be doing district meetings at month’s end talking about budget issues.

We will be doing many endorsements. This month we are doing for comptroller and public advocate. Recommends Scott Stringer and Tish James.

Schoor—We recommend that.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—Do they have opposition?

Egan—not significant.

Passes.

Tish James endorsement—

Paul Egan—Petitions haven’t been circulated yet. There may be opposition later, but no one who hasn’t started now is serious.

Passes

Resolution—57 anniversary of UFT

George Altomare—NYC special, never know where you’ll get inspiration. Real inspiration comes from within. In 1960 we had nothing more than dreams. 1200 of 50K teachers wanted collective bargaining, equality at table, had dreams. Was crowded on train today. Gentleman, well dressed, started chanting or singing. Said over and over, in the land of dreamers, dreams come true. That’s what we were as NYC teachers 57 years ago. No one expected us to survive or grow. We are a citadel of good will and humanity. We won a strike, won a union, won collective bargaining, and we thought that’s it, now we can just teach.

That wasn’t true. We had some big strikes. Strike of 68 tested us. In 75 the fiscal collapse, when we thought it was over, we survived and so did the city. Then we faced Bloomberg, and now we have today. We have to remember one thing Jefferson said—Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. When we get to a situation like this—Vigilance is price of liberty. Are we willing to pay the price?

Passes

Mike Schirtzer—MORE--Raising resolution in support of JHS 145. Threatened with closing. On PEP agenda, will vote whether to close. Have been in media. Rich Mantel has been fantastic on this. Community made it to Brooklyn, Bronx. JHS is a community school. Should not be closed. Wasn't provided what it was entitled to as renewal school.  We’re endorsing de Blasio Fariña should be on our side. This is Trump-DeVos agenda. A non-unionized charter would replace it. Latino and Muslim students. We ask to adjourn DA early and go to PEP to show support as union. We need to do more, to come together. If we can send a bus to DC, we need to go to Tweed and say closing community schools is unacceptable.

LeRoy Barr—Wants to echo comments. Rises to amend. First resolved—UFT will continue to take stance against closing. Strike rest. Strike second resolved that DA attends. Says many people will attend. We are up against a lot and can’t adjourn business of DA, but I will encourage all to show at PEP.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action—supports original resolution, supports edits to first resolved but wants to keep second. How often can we give union support to our brothers under attack? Person who receives solidarity gains much. Person who participates also gains. No business more important than letting our members stand in support to each other. Nothing more important than giving that sense to all our members.

Eliu Lara—supports amendments. Says Lehman open because we fought. Clinton HS open. We fought for that. A bunch of people from that school will go. We are supporting 145.

Janella HInds—speaks in favor of amendments. We only have DA once a month and need to get through agenda. LeRoy will announce from podium.

Marcus McArthur—MORE—Speaks in favor of original resolution. Understands we have important business. We live in peculiar times. Normal protocols no longer apply. Politics of our country, political leaders, don’t respond to a seat at the table. Don’t address our concerns in democratic and respectable fashion. This is why people are hitting the streets all across the country, Occupy, BLM, Women’s March, our institutions are disconnected. We have public schools in neighborhoods that serve low income black and brown students. We’re talking about closing that schools with union-busting, segregated corporate model. That’s catastrophic. We’ve gotta draw a red line at some point. Our union is formed out of fight, protest, solidarity. This is our calling right now. We’re in a generational fight for soul of our city and country.

Karen Allford—Supports resolution as amended. We know how to balance our priorities. We have to get through DA and have folks there. We have a good enough ground game that we can finish at 6 and have people there. We are smart enough, we can juggle schedules, and get both things done. We have to get through business of budget, alert members about DeVos and we can balance both.

Kuljit Ahluwalia—New Action—Stands in support of original resolution. We need to get involved. We can pick a time that doesn’t interfere with union business.

Vince Gagli—Moves to close debate.

Mike Schirtzer—MORE—point of information—Why are we striking part about march and rally?

Schoor—Mr. Barr said what he wanted. Not open to debate.

Debate closed.

Schoor—Resolution before us, keeps whereas, strikes last resolved and amends first.

Passes resolution as amended.

Jonathan Halabi—New Action--Did we vote on everything?

Schoor—Calls vote. Says yes agrees with Barr.

Passes.

Revotes for resolution as amended.

Passes

Resolution passes.

We are adjourned.