“The Community Education Councils speak on behalf of New York City public school parents, and they are saying no to the governor’s bad ideas,” said UFT President Michael Mulgrew. “Teachers and parents have come together to defend what’s most important: our kids.”
The idea for the resolutions came out of a meeting between parent leaders and Mulgrew in early February in response to the governor’s threats. Parents and the union then worked together to produce a model resolution.
Anthony Harmon, the union’s director of parent and community outreach, has been collecting the adopted resolutions.
“The parents could not be clearer in voicing their disapproval of the governor’s plan,” Harmon said.
Gloria Corsino, the president of the Citywide Education Council for District 75, said her council was staunchly opposed to Cuomo’s proposals.
“If you hold teachers accountable for children who may not test well or do well on the day of an observation, then it will drive away the teachers we do have and discourage future teachers from entering the most amazing profession,” she said.
In addition to adopting resolutions, some CEC leaders and members sent letters to the governor and state lawmakers protesting the governor’s education agenda.