Letter From
Randi Weingarten
Uft President
Brothers and Sisters:
We
have a tentative contract agreement! Guided by our 300- member Negotiation
Committee, we have successfully negotiated a contract with a solid raise,
an improvement of benefits with no givebacks and no additional
time. UFT chapter leaders and UFT staffers have held meetings to discuss
the agreement in advance of the secret ballot ratification vote. I trust
you had the information you needed to make an informed decision about this
agreement. The result of the voting will be announced by the American Arbitration
Association, which is conducting the vote, on Dec. 14.
Ratification of the tentative agreement will allow a laser-like focus on
the day-to-day work you do in our schools. Empowerment schools are high on
the agenda. In addition to District Representatives, we also have a central
office team in place to service you with regard to any specific issues that
you may face.
Schools work best when teachers and principals work together. A climate of
collaboration encourages greater achievement than a climate of adversity.
The intent of empowerment is to develop an atmosphere where collaboration
will emerge. We hope that in your school, collective innovation is being
expressed without the barrier of bureaucracy.
Teamwork is the catalyst. If teachers and principals can work together student
performance will increase. However, in far too many schools, that does not take
place. But regardless of whether you are working in a collaborative or a non-collaborative
environment, remember that your contract remains in full effect.
We will continue to watch carefully to ensure that you have all you need to succeed
in your school. The UFT will use every resource available to protect our members
as we transition to this different structure. With the support of your district
representatives and central staff representatives, I encourage you to build your
chapter and create the school you and your students deserve.
We look forward to sharing stories of excellence and resolving issues of concern.
Have a great year!
In Solidarity,
Randi
Noteworthy
Do you have success stories to share? How about horror stories about what’s
happening with your chapter? Share them with Special Representative Hinds
via e-mail at HYPERLINK "mailto:jhinds@uft.org" jhinds@uft.org.
I look forward to hearing about how Empowerment is playing out in your building.
There will be an Empowerment School chapter leaders meeting on Dec. 7 at
52 Broadway, 2nd Floor in Auditorium B. All chapter leaders or their designees are invited.
Message from Janella Hinds
Special Representative for Empowerment Schools
“What are the Empowerment Schools?”
Over the past two months, I have visited several schools and spoken with
many members. I am often asked the same question: “What does it mean
to be an Empowerment School?” Let me take this opportunity to give
you a clear response to that question.
Empowerment is a designation assigned to 332 schools all over the city. The principals
of these schools signed a performance agreement covering their intention to support
improved performance for their students, regardless of past performance. The
plan gives principals additional funding and more discretion on budget and hiring,
and it gives schools greater flexibility in designing their own education plans.
Each principal has been given “bounded autonomy” — but
this does not mean that your principal has been empowered to violate the contract
or any state or city regulations, laws, or statutes.
As you know, these schools are associated by network, rather than geographical
district and region. As a result, we have had to reframe the ways we engage with
one another. This initiative is a work in progress and through it all we intend
to provide the best service to all of our members.
Because of the principal’s additional authority, there are fewer resources
available on the superintendents’ level to support instruction. So we are
addressing concerns about services to meet the needs of special education and
English language learners, the availability of professional development, mentoring
and school safety procedures. Please let us know as soon as possible, if there
are issues — like these or others — that cannot be resolved on the
school level so that we can support you to ensure that your rights are being
protected and that your students are receiving the services they need.
You are in your schools every day and you have the power to create the chapter
you deserve. The contract is still the contract — and it covers all schools,
Empowerment or not. The contract means nothing however, if we don’t defend
and protect it. Take every opportunity to educate yourselves and build your chapter
by using the contract as the foundation that supports all of us. Stand up for
yourselves and the students you teach by working together to create the chapter
you need. Empower yourself by developing strong and viable chapters in each Empowerment
School across the city. And never forget that we are here with you, every step
of the way.
The UFT Supports our Members in Empowerment Schools:
Your chapter leader and district representative are your primary points
of contact with the UFT. They are available to provide the information and
support you need to continue to build your chapter. Be sure to keep them
informed about what’s going on in your building.
There is a resource system in place to support your district representative
and chapter leader with issues that are specific to Empowerment Schools.
UFT Vice President Frank Volpicella and Special Representatives Janella Hinds
and Leo Casey comprise the UFT’s Empowerment Schools team. They look
forward to visiting you in your schools as the school year continues.
It is also important for chapter leaders to keep the lines of communication
open by attending monthly DR meetings so that they are up to date on breaking
news and in communication with the other chapter leaders in their districts.