A Voice from the Eastern Door
A Voice from the Eastern Door
NYSUT President Karen Magee gave a fiery and informative speech to a packed Massena High Auditorium. With 600,000 thousand union members, they are hoping their presence and pressure will be felt in Albany. Magee is standing next to Anita Cafarella, a teacher from Madrid-Waddington.
Students of all ages were there to support more funding for Northern New York public schools.
Supporters from Northern New York schools showed their support at the rally. Salmon River Central was well represented by (L to R), John LaPage, John Aldrich, Eric Sharlow, Rebecca Smith and Joe Binion.
Pictured here is Randi Weingarten, American Federated Teachers Union President, standing next to a life size placard of Governor Cuomo. She said, "New York State had one of the best education systems in the United States, Cuomo's father heavily supported public education, Cuomo's mother was a public education teacher. It doesn't make sense why he does not support public education and the SUNY system today,"
Eddie Russell, a grade 11 student and president of his class expressed his grave concern over the number of losses in his school alone; since 2010 he has witnessed losing 48 teaching positions, JV sports, freshman academy, art and music and tech classes. "I should not have to move to a city or a wealthy district to receive the quality and variety of classes I need and want to experience. "
From handmade to fresh off the press, protesters and supporters were there bearing their protest signs to hear union presidents, superintendents, teachers and students address Governor Cuomo's budget cuts.
On Saturday, February 28, 2015, parents, students, educators and supporters joined in a meet the "Call Out to Cuomo" bus tour in the front of Massena High School. The meeting at the front doors marked an exciting and inspiring rally to bring attention to NYS Governor Cuomo's most recent proposed budget cuts in education. The proposed cuts will affect every child and family in New York State. The rally was well attended filling the Massena High School auditorium to capacity with representatives from Northern New York public schools; Massena Central, Malone Central, Salmon River Central, Madrid-Waddington, Colton Pierrepont, Canton Central, Norwood-Norfolk Central School and others.
The "Call Out to Cuomo" bussed across Northern New York State making stops at the Plattsburgh High School, Massena High School and Indian River High School. The list of speakers included Ms. Magee, Massena Federation of Teachers President Erin Covell, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Martin Messner, United University Professions President Fred Kowal, Alliance for Quality Education Executive Director Billy Easton, Colton-Pierrepont Central School Superintendent Joseph Kardash, Board of Education member and Zone 6 NYSSBA representative Wayne Rogers, Massena Central School junior Sean Casey, Sen. Patricia A. Ritchie's Director of Public Affairs Jim Reagen, Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell and Co-President of the Saranac Lake Teachers Association, Don Carlisto.
The state Board of Regents has asked for a $2 billion increase in education funding for the 2015-16 school year. However, Gov. Cuomo has stated that if his reforms were passed, there would be a $1.1 billion increase in state funding. If the proposals were not approved, it would mean just a $377 million increase. Many speakers at the rally clearly and passionately voiced their concerns over the proposed budget cuts saying the Governor is holding students, parents and educators hostage to his demands.
One of the most controversial demands from Cuomo is changing how teachers are evaluated; with Cuomo's proposal test scores of students would give weight to 50% of the teachers complete evaluation, in comparison to the current 40%, as well as increasing the length of time needed for teachers to receive tenure, and instituting a tax credit for those who donate money to public or private schools. Part of his reforms includes the allowance to create 100 more Charter Schools in NYS. Many speakers voiced their concerns over this stating Cuomo was putting too much emphasis and support on Charter Schools. Charter Schools were originally intended to be "innovation labs" where new educational practices would be developed and then integrated into the public school curriculum. They were never intended to be in competition with the public school system.
NYSUT President Karen Magee clearly and passionately stated, "All across the North Country, communities are uniting against this disastrous budget, which shortchanges students and the region's public schools and colleges in order to reward the governor's biggest campaign contributors – New York City billionaire hedge fund managers who want to privatize and profit from public education.
The message of Cuomo's billionaire supporters was repeated often throughout the rally.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten added, "Gov. Cuomo needs to put politics aside and focus on the funding our public schools students need. That's the governor's job under the New York State constitution. Making a difference in the lives of our kids and their families' hard work. Particularly as the North Country is still struggling with the effects of the last recession. Instead of scapegoating the educators who have devoted themselves to this, I'd ask the governor to listen to them, to visit their classroom and to support them.
"None of us can fight this alone and we wonder why someone whose father was so much about public education and whose mother taught in schools, why he would do this," Ms. Weingarten said. "Because when somebody starts in and attacking teachers and parents and attacking the very people who make a difference everyday in kid's lives, that is so wrong. He must be taught a lesson!"
After the rally, Magee said the grassroots approach to opposing his cuts will be heard, with supporters form the North Country and across the state, the "Call Out to Cuomo" bus tours stopped in the state capital on Monday, March 2, 2015.
Reader Comments(0)