All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
(Arthur Schopenhauer)
I need to believe that Stage three of Schopenhauer’s quote is on the horizon! Actually, we all need to believe that Stage three is on the horizon! With firm conviction this union has been bringing forth the truth whether it is in monthly superintendent meetings, at the microphone before the Board of Education, in monthly building rep meetings, at faculty meetings, through the published results of our MTA Task Forces, or within this monthly newsletter. There have been times when we have been ridiculed, and there have certainly been times when our professional opinions have been opposed. However, nothing has been able to stop us from expressing the truth, nor will we ever allow that to happen.

Given the size of our membership, it is difficult for everyone to know what is occurring across the district and keep current with what our colleagues are experiencing. Obviously, the truths that need to be revealed are dependent upon grade level, discipline and/or building. Regardless of whether we have or have not experienced the same concerns, we need to understand and support one another because what affects one affects all.

Thankfully, we have dedicated members who openly communicate their thoughts and concerns to those elected to represent them. The following areas of concern (some new and some continuing) have been voiced by members from across the district over the past month:

• Teachers being taken out of classrooms on the days before NYS testing
• Lack of timely response regarding personnel matters
• Undue clerical tasks
• Crosspointe
• Loss of instructional time
• Over testing of students
• Tedious, mundane, antiquated data analysis
• Functioning of restructuring teams
• Attempted use of comp ed teachers as workshop leaders for the March 30 staff development day
• The “Gifted and Talented” pilot program
• The lock step, uniform, no academic freedom approach to ELA instruction at the elementary levels

The truths surrounding all of the above will continue to be voiced by your union. We will not spin, manipulate, deceive or ignore what we know to be true. To reveal the truth is one thing; to have it accepted is another. Clearly, we are in this for the long run and we need the understanding, support and commitment of our members. We must look out for each other, stand united and be ever vigilant in protecting our rights contained in our collective bargaining agreement.