Political Action

Stand Up for Public Education, NYSUT and Well Earned Pensions from Ken Drake, Immediate Past President

Political action for N.Y.S. retired teachers can be framed in the following call to arms – when our profession, our union and/or our earned benefits come under attack, it is imperative that we act collectively to stand up for public education, worker’s rights and retirement security.  We must act as one regardless of our political party affiliation to counter those who want to privatize education, to restrict a teacher’s place at the bargaining table and to diminish our pension, Social Security and Medicare benefits.

Letter to SED Commissioner June 2021

Dear N.Y.S. S.E.D. Commissioner Rosa: 

 

Retiree Council 8 represents nearly 5,000+retired NYSUT educators in Madison, Oneida, and Oswego Counties.  The RC 8 Steering Committee strongly recommends, that the State Education Department use the $9 billion that New York schools are receiving from the federal government to support reopening and each student’s academic, social, emotional and mental health needs as follows:

 

  • ·      Hire a sufficient number of certified teachers, psychologists, social workers, nurses, and counselors to meet the academic and psychological needs of students in every school in the state. 
  • ·      Solicit input from all school educators and staff to obtain critical information before developing and implementing corrective strategies; collaborate with community mental health agencies and pediatricians when appropriate.
  • ·      Provide in school and/or online remedial learning opportunities during the summer months of 2021 in every region of the state as a way for students to “catch up” academically.
  • ·      Provide funds for teacher associations and school administrators to jointly prepare and make available to every household in each district a concise set of specific guidelines for parents to help their children prepare to enter school in the fall, especially at-risk students.
  • ·      Provide mental health and professional support for teachers and adult staff.

 

Retired educators are acutely aware of the challenges public school teachers must overcome on a daily basis in the schools across New York State.  They are also keenly aware of how the COVID pandemic has exacerbated the long-term unresolved problems facing the state’s educational system. 

 

The most significant factor in determining how the federal money is to be spent by the State Education Department is how directly and effectively the use of the money will benefit the educational well being of students and staff across the state, regardless of student and school district socio-economic status.

 

On behalf of the members of the The RC 8 Steering Committee, I want to thank you for considering our recommendations when making this important decision.

 

Sincerely yours,

Jan Corn

NYSUT Retiree Council President

 

NYSUT RC 8 Steering Committee Representatives:

 

Adirondack - Yvonne Emery, Howard LaFave

Brookfield - 

Camden - 

Canastota - Barbara Woodarek

Clinton - Kathy Foote, Kathy Moran, Carl Wheat

Hamilton - 

Holland Patent - Claudette Johnson

Madison - 

Morrisville-Eaton - 

MVCC PA - Bill Perrotti

New York Mills - 

New Hartford - Doreen Markson 

NYSSD - 

OHM BOCES - Janet Furgal

Oneida - Keri Cartwright-Cox, Jim Fiacco

Oriskany - Dianna Inserra, Sarah McQueen

Oswego County - Pat Kush

Remsen - Jan Corn

Rome - Wanona Carey, Peg Corbett

Sauquoit Valley - Ylva Cortright

Stockbridge Valley - Linda Dunn

Utica - Nancy Bender

Vernon-Verona-Sherrill - Ken Drake

Waterville - 

Westmoreland -

Whitesboro - Helen Chomin, Carole Gehrig, Florence Wood