March, 2007

Mar 20, 2007 3:10 PM

Dear Colleague: 

I would like to update you on several issues.

Clustering
The clustering arbitration is scheduled for March 21, 2007.  Our advocate will be Marc Korashan and he is in the process of planning a strategy.

I expect that clustering will commence, as usual, in May.  If the arbitration has not been concluded, one way or the other, by then, the process will be conducted according to the DOE’s April 27, 2006 Memorandum.  This memorandum incorporated the unilateral changes that the DOE made to make clustering conform to their Open Market Transfer Plan. 

Restructuring
The new restructuring is based on the concept of “system-wide Empowerment”.  It will afford principals the power to choose the “School Support Organization” that will best meet their needs.  There will be three types of School Support Organizations: Empowerment Support Organizations; Learning Support Organizations; Partnership Support Organizations.  The “launch” of the new support system will occur in the Fall, 2007.

It is not clear, at this point, what this will mean for our members or for Special Education.  I will keep you posted as I learn of new information.

Contracts
The hard copies have been mailed out to your homes.  Please keep in mind that the new contract does not come into effect until October, 2007.

Step 3 Decisions
The UFT won a recent arbitration that concerned the DOEs failure to hand down Step 3 decisions.  As a result, decisions are now forthcoming.

Clinician Appreciation Day
Over 700 of our Chapter member attended this event on January 25, 2007 and it was a huge success.  The City Council presented us a Proclamation in honor of the day.

Fraternally, 

Ann