Gov. Cuomo reaches out to teacher unions
Here is the third item from my "Albany Insider" column from Monday's editions:
Gov. Cuomo’s recent efforts to improve relations with the Democratic party’s left wing seemingly includes the powerful teacher unions with which he’s been warring.
Top Cuomo aide James Malatras recently met in Albany with city teacher union President Michael Mulgrew, officials from the state teachers union, and new state Education Commissioner MaryEllen(CQ) Elia to discuss enacting an appeals process for a tough teacher evaluation system Cuomo pushed through earlier this year, sources said.
Two weeks after the meeting, the state Board of Regents enacted a new appeals process—a move Cuomo publicly supported.
"I think he wants to get this (stuff) behind him without looking like he caved too much,” said one source familiar with the meeting.
A Cuomo aide noted that the education reform package adopted earlier this year included a provision to address anamolies in the teacher evaluation process, which is what was done with the Regents action.
