“In a time of universal deceit,
telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
(George Orwell)

Looking back over this past year, and in reviewing my monthly articles, the recurrent theme has been focused on “truth.” Something that should be so simple and a part of everyday life has been a precious commodity this year. Unfortunately, universal deceit has been the modus operandi of the district’s powers that be.

Why is speaking the truth so difficult? With all the spinning this year, it is amazing any of us can still see straight. Maybe that was the plan: Try and keep all of us unbalanced and confound our heads with so much dizzying and contradictory information, that we would not be able to discern the truth.

As our subjection to repeated incidences of deceit and manipulation occurred, it became apparent that there was only one option: We would have to be the ones to tell the truth. That has been the primary focus of my articles and in my monthly meetings with the superintendent. The work of the four MTA task forces has been another avenue through which truthful voices have been expressed, and the MTA appointees to various building level and district level committees have proven themselves to be articulate and honest.

The real truth is that our Board of Education must become educated as to the realities of the district and must be willing not only to ask difficult questions, but to question and challenge the recommendations of the superintendent when necessary. The mentality of some board members who advocate for differing opinions to be discussed solely within executive session is chilling. The clear implication from some BOE members is that every recommendation from the superintendent should receive unanimous support! This is not only wrong but has the frightening potential to lead to disastrous results. Let us not forget what blind allegiance has done to the district in the past.

We continue to experience problems with having no interim Director of Personnel. In a district with over 1,000 employees, does it make sense to operate without this important position for almost six months? How is it even conceivable to think that the job descriptions of two central administrators (the superintendent and the district business administrator) would allow time for them to divide the duties and responsibilities of a personnel director? Then again, how in the world can the majority of BOE members listen to the huge number of parents (the largest group of parents to attend a BOE meeting this year) protest the abolition of the ESL/Bi-Lingual Director’s position and yet still vote to abolish the position? Again, how does it make sense that two other central administrators, with full time positions, can undertake the division of the ESL/Bi-Lingual Director’s job? Who, besides the teachers, sees the disastrous consequences of such mismanagement?

The plan for the Contract for Excellence (CFE) money is of grave concern and the Board of Education needs to sit up and pay close attention to what is going to be implemented. The implications for the future are alarming and we could face a superintendent who is gone, leaving behind an incredible financial mess. A major flaw in Governor Spitzer’s plan is that teachers, parents, and community members are not mandated to participate until year two of the Contract for Excellence. Therefore, the thoughts, opinions and suggestions of many others have gone unsolicited for this year. Next year, how important will the participation of these constituents be when district-selected programs and positions have already been implemented? Does this district really need another administrator (Director of Counseling) or a Career and College Advisor? What are the implications of adding nineteen teachers under the CFE? How will the nine period day be implemented and what will be the construct of the Freshman Academy? How does all of this affect our high school teachers? Where is the open dialogue and dissemination of information? Teachers are leaving in June not knowing what the ramifications will be for them in September. The district plans to significantly upgrade the current state of elementary technology, but what exactly does that mean? Who will be getting what and when? How will this affect the daily lives of our elementary colleagues?

We have teaching assistants, so vital to our students, who may not be here in September. We have the current ESL/Bi-Lingual Director who has clearly proven the necessity of this position and who will not be here to continue this incredibly valuable work next year. We have elementary Community Social Workers who have created integral links with our students and parents yet these positions have also been eliminated. It is alarming that district positions have been abolished while outside consultants remain. How is it that grant money seems to be obtained for services that may be more desired than needed? Something is not right here, but often the critical information needed to formulate insightful questions never sees the light of day. How many new positions have been added over the last three years? How many consultants were hired? How many audits were conducted? What has been implemented with the Safe Schools/Healthy Students grant that is completing year one?

Let us not lose sight of the significant problems many of our buildings are experiencing regarding health and safety concerns due to serious deficiencies and malfunctions in the areas of heating, ventilation, and roofing. Why, then, has the district decided that the first priority for the use of Excel Aid funds is to begin with the construction of the high school’s new athletic fields and new stadium? Why is the priority show and façade before health and safety?

Who, besides the teachers, is asking these pointed questions?

This has been an incredibly frustrating and difficult year—a year in which many questions have gone unanswered and many problems have gone unsolved. The summer break is upon us which is a very good thing. It is time to step back, recuperate and revitalize.

Rest, relax, and find joy for yourselves over the summer because in September we need to reconvene with a strong and united sense of purpose. It is evident that we need to direct the future for ourselves and if we need to become more revolutionary in voicing the truth, then so be it.

I hear people talking about a “full pension”.  What does this mean?  Somebody receiving a full pension from TRS is not being subjected to any age or service penalties.  Therefore, they are receiving 100% of what their service credit allows, not 100% of their FAS.

I joined TRS in September 1997.  When will my 3% contributions cease?  The contributions should end this September since at that time you will have been a TRS member for 10 years.  TRS should notify payroll that your 3% contributions should end, but it wouldn’t hurt to contact payroll during the summer alerting them to this fact. (The 3% contributions cease after 10 years due to legislation passed with the help of Vote/Cope.)

I am a part-time TA who worked for a full year but my benefit profile only showed 6 months service credit.  Is this right?  It might be correct as all of your service in a year is converted into full days of work which is then converted into months of service.  The 6 months of service credit would be correct for many 19  hour TAs.

I am retiring and would like to be covered by the new NYSUT vision plan.  How can I enroll?  Most retirees who have already been to their eye care providers this spring would best be served to join the NYSUT vision plan as of January 1, 2008.  To enroll you must contact NYSUT Member Benefits at 800-626-8101.