If you believe that headline, then there’s a bridge for sale that might just interest you. Here’s just one link about how school districts in western New York and across our state are struggling to provide what students need. Yes, it’s April Fool’s Day. It’s also the start of School Library Month. Here’s a link [...]

The Utica small city schools have been up against a lot of budgetary concerns for years now. Two of the strikes against them are a declining tax base, and increasing needs to deal with an increasing immigrant population. Here’s an excerpt from that Feb. 2 Utica Observer-Dispatch article: Utica does qualify for two programs that [...]

I’m back after two full days in five Elmira city schools talking with dozens of teachers, parents, students and administrators about what budget cuts mean to them. It’s overwhelming because there is no way to fit everything people said onto the two pages in the May issue of NYSUT United. Good thing NYSUT has a [...]

Reports are that the 2012-13 state budget will be done early next week. At the same time, there are reports that the state tax collections are up. Read the whole press release from state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli about why caution is needed on this good news. I agree with caution, because you know what will [...]

View all photos The sound of thousands of plastic clappers on the south lawn of the Capitol earlier today was like rainfall. It heralded the coming storm from state workers who are angry at the governor’s threats of another 9,800 layoffs. The rally was led by Public Employees Federation. PEF president Ken Brynien said 15,000 [...]

could you send me your picture? I know being laid off is not something anyone wants to be known for. But statements such as this one in February that school districts can absorb the $1.2 billion in cuts and that there should not be any layoffs keep cropping up. Any groups of the laid-off? Let [...]

School districts that must get voter approval for their budgets are now completing them and your hometown news should be reporting on them. We are trying to keep track of the sacrifices district employees are making as well as the layoffs impacting schools statewide. If your union has agreed to delaying raises or increasing contributions [...]

Powell’s Books in Portland, Ore., is in the process of laying off 7 percent of its workers due to declining sales. International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 5 units at Powell’s Burnside and Beaverton stores, as well as the Hoyt Street and Northwest industrial warehouses are affected by the layoffs but Local 5 President Ryan [...]

Marc Pekowsky of the Yonkers Federation of Teacher posted this video to the NYSUT United Facebook page. I’ll let him explain in his own words. If you would like to see something truly heartwarming and a prime example of why we teach, check out this Youtube video to see a little girl’s wonderful tribute to [...]