Public Schools, Unions and Teachers: Facing A Yawning Abyss

Monday was the first day for collecting signatures to get on the June 24th Democratic Primary Ballot for the City Council and I’m helping a friend. You have to be a registered democrat and live in the district to sign a nominating petition. Recent politics in NYC has turned off voters, the June 24th turnoutContinue reading “Public Schools, Unions and Teachers: Facing A Yawning Abyss”

Leadership and Experience Matters: The Survival of Public Education is at Stake

The United Federation of Teachers, the UFT has almost 200,000 members, 75,000 teachers 25,000 paraprofessionals 60,000 retirees 50,000 other titles, I.e., school secretaries, guidance counselors, speech pathologists, etc. working in 1800 school and other facilities. The governance structure: * officers (11) and Boro Reps, meet weekly        *102 member executive board, meets twice aContinue reading “Leadership and Experience Matters: The Survival of Public Education is at Stake”

“We must all hang together or most assuredly we’ll hang separately,”

“We must all hang together or most assuredly we’ll hang separately,” Benjamin Franklin  Less than a month into the Trump-Elon regency and the attack on public education and labor unions is just beginning.  Utah is the third state to bar public employees from collective bargaining, and we expect a Trump attempt. perhaps through a presidentialContinue reading ““We must all hang together or most assuredly we’ll hang separately,””

The Impending Dismantling of the Department of Education, Public Education, Teacher Unions and perhaps our Democracy

Trump and his minions are preparing to dismantle the Department of Education and move on to dismantling public education and teacher unions, and perhaps our democracy. The Department of Education is the smallest and most recent cabinet level department.  As part of LBJ’s Great Society the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) became law andContinue reading “The Impending Dismantling of the Department of Education, Public Education, Teacher Unions and perhaps our Democracy”

Possibly/Probably Mayor Andrew Cuomo: The Mayoral Primary is June 24th

Seemingly for months the news of the day was the indictment of Mayor Adams:  Will he resign? Will the governor remove him? and, after November 5th Adams’ pandering to the president-elect, and, will he be pardoned?. A few lawyers  have questioned the charges. Adam’s trial is scheduled for April. You can read the indictment here. Continue reading “Possibly/Probably Mayor Andrew Cuomo: The Mayoral Primary is June 24th”

Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?

“I’m not a member of any political party – I’m a democrat” Will Rogers We have a two party electoral system, Democrats and Republicans, within each party there are factions, and Madison in Federalist # 10 warned against factions, “who are united and actuated by some common impulse of passion or of some, adverse toContinue reading “Why is the DSA Trying to Take Over the UFT?”

Trump versus the NYS Board of Regents

On January 20th the scepter and orb were transferred to Trump and the early theme of the era of Trump 2.0 is off and running: retribution  Executive Orders flew out of the White House, institutionalizing a host of MAGA favorites, among them a major theme of the Trump campaign, opposing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts,Continue reading “Trump versus the NYS Board of Regents”

“Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,”

In my union rep days I visited a couple of schools a day “showing the flag,” some principals welcomed me, a few thought I was a troublemaker, in a way, they were correct. In the winter I kept my army field jacket in my car in case I had to walk to the school, IContinue reading ““Where are the Snows of Yesteryear,””

“Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership

The days are getting longer, otherwise the bleak, chilly days seem to be modeling the political climate. One day Trump is thinking about giving DACA kids permanent status the next swooping down and snatching immigrants off the streets, the next day probably messing with Social Security and Medicare, is that whirring sound sucking sanity downContinue reading ““Never Let a Crisis Go to Waste,” Why We Need Wily, Experienced Leadership”

“It’s All Politics,” (snarl)

Too many of us view “politics” as synonymous with corruption and malfeasance, the result is low turnout in elections. Social media has learned the lesson: violence, sex, greed gets more clicks than positive news. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a crawl at the bottom of a tv screen, “World to End at 3, stayContinue reading ““It’s All Politics,” (snarl)”