AUTOPSY OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING – Dad Gone Wild

AUTOPSY OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING – Dad Gone Wild

AUTOPSY OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

“these self-righteous censors often construct a “hero narrative” about themselves in which they are morally pure crusaders who must protect society from the objectionable opinions of the unenlightened masses.”
― Greg Lukianoff, Freedom from Speech

 

Yesterday, Nashville’s Mayor Cooper announced that the city would be lifting its mask mandate at 5 AM this morning. The announcement came just hours after he publically stated that Nashville would be leaving the mask mandate in place. In making this decision, he pointed to a revised CDC policy that now allowed for vaccinated people to share indoor space without masks or social distancing.

The CDC was talking about fully vaccinated people, and only about a third of the city meets that criteria, but who’s sweating the details? The mask mandate will remain in effect for Metro Schools. Also still in effect is the policy that each student only gets 4 tickets for high school graduation and CONTINUE READING: AUTOPSY OF A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING – Dad Gone Wild

April 2021 ACCS Meeting Agenda - Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education)

April 2021 ACCS Meeting Agenda - Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education)

April 2021 ACCS Meeting Agenda

Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) April 13, 2021, meeting notice of agenda items and attachments.

Important Notice

Please note, the April Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) meeting will be held as a teleconference; Room 1101 (board room) will be closed to the public. Please see ACCS Meeting Logistics section below for options to view and participate in the meeting.

Advisory Commission on Charter Schools
Meeting Notice

An Advisory Body to the State Board of Education

Tuesday, April 13, 2021
9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.±*

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, CA 95814-6029
916-322-6029

 

• Jared Austin
• Esau Berumen
• Stephanie Farland1
• Andrea Fazel
• Gayle Garbolino-Mojica
• Erika Jones
• Wesley Sever
• Matt Taylor
• Mike Walsh

State Board of Education Liaisons

• Sue Burr
• Ting Sun

AGENDA

• Call to Order
• Salute to Flag
• Welcome and Introductions
• Review and Adoption of Meeting Notes
• Charter Schools Division Update
• Review/Reordering of Meeting Agenda
• Public Comment2

*MEETING MAY END EARLIER OR LATER THAN SPECIFIED DUE TO TIME NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE AGENDA.

AGENDA ITEMS

Item 1(DOCX)

Type of Action: Information

Subject: Consideration of Requests for Determination of Funding as Required for Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools Pursuant to California Education Code sections 47612.5 and 47634.2, and Associated California Code of Regulations, Title 5.

• Item 1 Attachment 1: Proposed Determination of Funding Recommendation for Nonclassroom-Based Charter Schools(XLSX)
• Item 1 Attachment 2: Determination of Funding Request for Agnes J. Johnson Charter, Charter #2103(PDF)
• Item 1 Attachment 3: Determination of Funding Request for Banta Charter, Charter #2104(PDF)
• Item 1 Attachment 4: Determination of Funding Request for Liberty Independent Study, Charter #2102(PDF)
• Item 1 Attachment 5: Determination of Funding Request for Pathways Charter Academy, Charter #2089(PDF)

CONTINUE READING: April 2021 ACCS Meeting Agenda - Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education)

SBE Agenda for March 2021 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

SBE Agenda for March 2021 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

SBE Agenda for March 2021

Agenda for the California State Board of Education (SBE) meeting on March 16-18, 2021.

Important Notice

Please note, the March 2021 State Board of Education meeting will be held as a teleconference; Room 1101 (board room) will be closed to the public. Please see SBE Meeting Logistics section below for options to view and participate in the meeting.

State Board Members

• Linda Darling-Hammond, President
• Ilene W. Straus, Vice President
• Sue Burr
• Cynthia Glover-Woods
• Jim McQuillen
• Matt Navo
• Kim Pattillo Brownson
• Haydee Rodriguez
• Patricia A. Rucker
• Ting L. Sun
• Zaid Fattah, Student Member

Secretary & Executive Officer

• Hon. Tony Thurmond

Executive Director

• Brooks Allen

Schedule of Meeting

Tuesday, March 16, 2021
2:30 p.m. Pacific Time ±

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Public Session. Public Session, adjourn to Closed Session – IF NECESSARY.

Location

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814
916-319-0827

Please see the detailed agenda for more information about the items to be considered and acted upon. The public is welcome to participate.

Schedule of Meeting

Wednesday, March 17, 2021
8:30 a.m. Pacific Time ±

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Public Session. Public Session, adjourn to Closed Session – IF NECESSARY.

Location

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814
916-319-0827

Schedule of Meeting

Thursday, March 18, 2021
8:30 a.m. Pacific Time ±

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Closed Session will take place at approximately 8:30 a.m. (The Public may not attend.)

Location

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814
916-319-0827

CLOSED SESSION

The Closed Session may commence as necessary.

• California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials, et al. v. Tom Torlakson in his official capacity and members of the State Board of Education, in their official capacity, et al., United States District Court (No. Dist. CA), Case No. 4:17-cv-00635
• Cayla K et al. v. State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tony Thurmond et al., Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. RG20084386
• Ella T et al. v. State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tom Torlakson et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC685730
• Emma C., et al. v. Delaine Eastin, et al., United States District Court (No.Dist.CA), Case No. C-96-4179
• I.L. v. Oakland Unified School District, State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, United States District Court (No. Dist. CA), Case No.20-CV-2349-JST.
• Kerri K. et al. v. State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, Contra Costa County Office of Education, the Floyd I. Marchus School et al., Contra Costa County Superior Court, Case No. MSC19-00972
• Martinez v. Newsom, State of California, Tony Thurmond, State Department of Education, State Board of Education, et al., United State District Court (Central District CA), Case No. 5:20-cv-01796
• Options for Youth, Burbank, Inc., San Gabriel, Inc. Upland, Inc. and Victor Valley, Notice of Appeal before the Education Audit Appeals Panel, EAAP Case Nos. 06-18, 06-19- 07-07, 07-08 OAH Nos. L2006100966, L2006110025, L20070706022, L2007060728, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC 347454
• Patel v. Santa Clara Unified School District, California Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, State Board of Education, Santa Clara County Superior Court, Case No, 20CV365010
• Today’s Fresh Start Charter School v. Inglewood Unified School District, Los Angeles County Office of Education, California Department of Education, California State Board of Education, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 20STCP02646

Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation: Under Government Code sections 11126(e), the State Board of Education hereby provides public notice that it may meet in Closed Session to decide whether there is a significant exposure to litigation, and to consider and act in connection with matters for which there is a significant exposure to litigation. Under Government Code sections 11126(e)(1) and (e)(2), the State Board of Education hereby provides public notice that it may meet in Closed Session to decide to initiate litigation and to consider and act in connection with litigation it has decided to initiate.

ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ARE PROVIDED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY

ALL ITEMS MAY BE HEARD IN A DIFFERENT ORDER THAN HOW THEY ARE LISTED ON THE AGENDA ON ANY DAY OF THE NOTICED MEETING

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE

Time is set aside for individuals desiring to speak on any topic not otherwise on the agenda. Please see the detailed agenda for the Public Session. In all cases, the presiding officer reserves the right to impose time limits on presentations as may be necessary to ensure that the agenda is completed.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability or any other individual who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the California State Board of Education (SBE), may request assistance by contacting the SBE office at 1430 N Street, Room 5111, Sacramento, CA 95814; by telephone at 916-319-0827; by facsimile at 916-319-0175; or by email at sbe@cde.ca.gov.

SBE MEETING LOGISTICS

On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20 related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Order allows state bodies covered by the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Act) to hold public meetings covered by the Act via web and/or audio teleconferencing. As such, the March 2021 SBE meeting will be held as an audio/video teleconference and will have a live webcast, which will subsequently be archived on the SBE website. The SBE Board Room 1101 in the California Department of Education will be closed to the public. Please see the Public Comment Guidelines section below for options to view and participate during the meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES

Public comment may be provided via email or phone, as specified below.

Email

The public is highly encouraged to submit written comment to the SBE members in advance for their prior consideration. In order to help ensure that board members have sufficient time to review all comments, please submit comments by noon on Friday, March 12, 2021. Comments should be submitted to the SBE mailbox at: sbe@cde.ca.gov.

Join the SBE electronic mailing list to receive information and updates from the Board.

The following information should be included in the body of the email:

• Commenter’s first and last name
• Organization affiliation, if applicable
• Agenda item number or general public comment

Phone

Public comment may also be provided during the meeting by dialing the phone number and participant access code listed below. The operator will notify callers when it is their turn to provide public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute. Members of the public wishing to dial in for public comment should view the live-stream of the meeting. The number is provided below and will also be announced at the start of public comment for each item.

• Prior to making public comment, speakers who are watching the meeting via live webcast should make sure the volume on their computer is muted to avoid an echoing or feedback sounds during the call.
• Each speaker will be allotted one minute of public comment for each agenda item.
• Please use the phone number provided below:
  • Phone number: 712-770-5316, Participant Access Code: 4337117

CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

FULL BOARD AGENDA
Public Session, Day 1

CONTINUE READING: SBE Agenda for March 2021 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

Agenda for the California State Board of Education (SBE) meeting on February 24, 2021 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

SBE Agenda for February 24, 2021 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

Agenda for the California State Board of Education (SBE) meeting on February 24, 2021

Important Notice

Please note, the February 24, 2021 State Board of Education meeting will be held as a teleconference; Room 1101 (board room) will be closed to the public. Please see SBE Meeting Logistics section below for options to view and participate in the meeting.

State Board Members

• Linda Darling-Hammond, President
• Ilene W. Straus, Vice President
• Sue Burr
• Cynthia Glover-Woods
• Jim McQuillen
• Matt Navo
• Kim Pattillo Brownson
• Haydee Rodriguez
• Patricia A. Rucker
• Ting L. Sun
• Zaid Fattah, Student Member

Secretary & Executive Officer

• Hon. Tony Thurmond

Executive Director

• Brooks Allen

Schedule of Meeting

Wednesday, February 24, 2021
8:30 a.m. Pacific Time ±

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Public Session. Public Session, adjourn to Closed Session – IF NECESSARY.

Location

California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814
916-319-0827

Please see the detailed agenda for more information about the items to be considered and acted upon. The public is welcome.

CLOSED SESSION AGENDA

The Closed Session commence as necessary.

• California Parents for the Equalization of Educational Materials, et al. v. Tom Torlakson in his official capacity and members of the State Board of Education, in their official capacity, et al., United States District Court (No. Dist. CA), Case No. 4:17-cv-00635
• Cayla K et al. v. State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tony Thurmond et al., Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. unassigned
• Ella T et al. v. State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tom Torlakson et al., Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC685730
• Emma C., et al. v. Delaine Eastin, et al., United States District Court (No.Dist.CA), Case No. C-96-4179
• I.L. v. Oakland Unified School District, State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, United States District Court (No. Dist. CA), Case No.20-CV-2349-JST.
• Kerri K. et al. v. State of California, State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, Contra Costa County Office of Education, the Floyd I. Marchus School et al., Contra Costa County Superior Court, Case No. MSC19-00972
• Martinez v. Newsom, State of California, Tony Thurmond, State Department of Education, state Board of Education, et al., United State District Court (Central District CA), Case No. 5:20-cv-01796
• Options for Youth, Burbank, Inc., San Gabriel, Inc. Upland, Inc. and Victor Valley, Notice of Appeal Before the Education Audit Appeals Panel, EAAP Case Nos. 06-18, 06-19- 07-07, 07-08 OAH Nos. L2006100966, L2006110025, L20070706022, L2007060728, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. BC 347454
• Patel v. Santa Clara Unified School District, California Department of Education, Tony Thurmond, State Board of Education, Santa Clara County Superior Court, Case No, 20CV365010
• Today’s Fresh Start Charter School v. Inglewood Unified School District, Los Angeles County Office of Education, California Department of Education, California State Board of Education, Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 20STCP02646

Under Government Code Section 11126(a), the State Board of Education hereby provides public notice that it may meet in closed session regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal, discipline, or release of public employees, or a complaint or charge against public employees. Public employees include persons exempt from civil service under Article VII, Section 4(e) of the California Constitution.

ALL TIMES ARE APPROXIMATE AND ARE PROVIDED FOR CONVENIENCE ONLY

ALL ITEMS MAY BE HEARD IN A DIFFERENT ORDER THAN HOW THEY ARE LISTED ON THE AGENDA ON ANY DAY OF THE NOTICED MEETING

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE

Time is set aside for individuals desiring to speak on any topic not otherwise on the agenda. Please see the detailed agenda for the Public Session. In all cases, the presiding officer reserves the right to impose time limits on presentations as may be necessary to ensure that the agenda is completed.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability or any other individual who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in a meeting or function of the California State Board of Education (SBE), may request assistance by contacting the SBE office at 1430 N Street, Room 5111, Sacramento, CA 95814; by telephone at 916-319-0827; by facsimile at 916-319-0175; or by email at sbe@cde.ca.gov.

SBE MEETING LOGISTICS

On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20 related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Order allows state bodies covered by the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Act) to hold public meetings covered by the Act via web and/or audio teleconferencing. As such, the February 10, 2021 SBE meeting will be held as an audio/video teleconference and will have a live webcast, which will subsequently be archived on the SBE website. The SBE Board Room 1101 in the California Department of Education will be closed to the public. Please see the Public Comment Guidelines section below for options to view and participate during the meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT GUIDELINES

Public comment may be provided via email or phone, as specified below.

Email

The public is highly encouraged to submit written comment to the SBE members in advance for their prior consideration. In order to help ensure that board members have sufficient time to review all comments, please submit comments by noon on Monday, February 22, 2021. Comments should be submitted to the SBE mailbox at: sbe@cde.ca.gov.

Join the SBE electronic mailing list to receive information and updates from the Board.

The following information should be included in the body of the email:

• Commenter’s first and last name
• Organization affiliation, if applicable
• Agenda item number or general public comment

Phone

Public comment may also be provided during the meeting by dialing the phone number and participant access code listed below. The operator will notify callers when it is their turn to provide public comment. Public comment will be limited to one minute. Members of the public wishing to dial in for public comment should view the live-stream of the meeting. The number is provided below and will also be announced at the start of public comment for each item.

• Prior to making public comment, speakers who are watching the meeting via live webcast should make sure the volume on their computer is muted to avoid an echoing or feedback sounds during the call.
• Each speaker will be allotted one minute of public comment for each agenda item.
• Please use the phone number provided below:
  • Phone number: 712-770-4906, Participant Access Code: 1166083#

CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

FULL BOARD AGENDA
Public Session

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 – 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time ±
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Room 1101
Sacramento, California 95814

• Call to Order
• Salute to the Flag
• Communications
• Announcements
• Special Presentations
  Public notice is hereby given that special presentations for informational purposes may take place during this session.
• Agenda Items
• Adjournment

AGENDA ITEMS CONTINUE READING: SBE Agenda for February 24, 2021 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

NYC Educator: UFT Delegate Assembly February 10, 2021--Debate Upon Debate

NYC Educator: UFT Delegate Assembly February 10, 2021--Debate Upon Debate

UFT Delegate Assembly February 10, 2021--Debate Upon Debate

UFT President Michael Mulgrew--We're more than halfway through this wonderful school year. Hope everyone is safe. Asks for a moment of silence for former CTU President Karen Lewis. 

Middle schools--They needed testing capacity. They do not need an agreement with UFT. State approved city plan with 20% testing per building per week. We did not take their word for it. District has money from second stimulus act. We demanded time to get teams up to speed. Over last few weeks they've hired 55 additional testing teams. There are 60K additional tests, but they are now in compliance with state plan. 

We are frustrated with vaccines, and scrambling for more, as are hospitals and medical providers. We will get out more info, but city has agreed to specific number of slots every day at city centers for in person DOE employees--elementary, MS, and D75 working in schools. We also have more vaccine for our own program and will do the same.

We want middle schools to have time to get ready. That's why we have two weeks. Staff will have one day to come in and check. We will make sure PPE is in place. If you're going back, protocols, PPE, cleaning and ventilation are important. Testing gives us early warning so we can take proper procedures and shut rooms and schools as needed. Make sure everything is in place. Covid building response teams have done great work.

Around country people are surprised we have teams to do this. Other cities don't have testing capacity and haven't been doing anything for months. Disappointing to see teachers around country fighting for what we already have. Not enough to just say schools are important. 

Contact us with any issues. We will push and monitor. That's watching each other's backs. 

Federal--CDC was supposed to put out new guidelines, but pushed until Friday. You're going to see what we always talk about. Will sound a lot like NYC, but they don't have CONTINUE READING: NYC Educator: UFT Delegate Assembly February 10, 2021--Debate Upon Debate

NYC Educator: UFT Executive Board February 1, 2021--Slogging Through the Pandemic Snowstorm

NYC Educator: UFT Executive Board February 1, 2021--Slogging Through the Pandemic Snowstorm

UFT Executive Board February 1, 2021--Slogging Through the Pandemic Snowstorm

UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr--Welcomes us, says minutes passed. UFT Town Hall this Thursday.

Carrie Prugh--Tomorrow is mayoral town hall 5 PM

UFT President Michael Mulgrew--Evaluation--Some superintendents and schools have been using attendance and time on Zoom as evaluation. That's not acceptable. There is a state law on evaluation. Governor made executive order last year, is not inclined to do so this year. DOE has done nothing to help, offered no PE. As far as we're concerned, this is about when student and teacher are in classroom. We will try to settle, but if not we will go before commissioner. 

Important to have different type of appeal process. This is a very unique and odd teaching process. We can't have principals using attendance. Issues are over what schools did when students didn't engage. We have had some good process, but we're not done until we're done. 

MOSL is something we'll have to start looking at. MOSL has worked well for us. We've had five different laws. The matrix with MOSL has been our friend. Student learning has protected teachers. There are hundreds of schools where maybe science exam is used for all in building. We will make sure we do a good job and no one is harmed for teaching in a pandemic.

Vaccine--We are more than halfway through our list. This week and next should be 16% increase in doses, and federal should help. There will be no cancellation of UFT appointments. If you find a match elsewhere you can remove yourself online. I'm not happy until everyone who wants it gets it but we're working on it. 

Middle schools--Don't know yet, will discuss with mayor. It's all about testing. City positivity rate going down for last 9 days, now at 5.2. We'd have 227 schools closed today, but CONTINUE READING: NYC Educator: UFT Executive Board February 1, 2021--Slogging Through the Pandemic Snowstorm

NYC Educator: UFT Executive Board January 4, 2021--Vaccines, Openings, Closings and Food Banks

NYC Educator: UFT Executive Board January 4, 2021--Vaccines, Openings, Closings and Food Banks

UFT Executive Board January 4, 2021--Vaccines, Openings, Closings and Food Banks

UFT Secretary LeRoy Barr--Welcomes us. DA Next week, Jan. 13th. 

Karen Alford--Thanks members for toy drive donations. Says many children got toys, and over 20K in monetary donations, not to mention toys.

Al Shanker scholarship deadline extended to February 1.  

Anthony Harmon--Food drive to help communities--partnered with restaurants to get 1K meals per week per borough, over 20K done so far.

UFT President Michael Mulgrew--Moment of silence for Jerry Rainer, teacher at MS 216, who passed last week. 

We will continue helping communities with food.

City and state have different numbers. Currently state numbers take precedence. Discrepancy is large, but COVID definitely rising. Number for state is 6.2 while city number is over 9, yet mayor says he's following the state. Testing is continuing to work. Since 12/7 closed 390 schools, over 45%. Just today, we had 121 schools shut down due to pre-break tests. 

We need everyone to continue to report testing issues. They have made changes, but we need quick turnaround and real random testing. In order to get it all done, they can't just test a whole school. They will test 20% and leave, and they can't test only adults. Governor said if school district reaches 9% it's up to them to close. UFT says we have to close at 9%. This could be a fight if we get there. 

My focus has been moving teachers up in terms of vaccine access. There are tens of thousands of doses sitting in freezers, and worst offender is NYC, having distributed only CONTINUE READING: NYC Educator: UFT Executive Board January 4, 2021--Vaccines, Openings, Closings and Food Banks

Going to UFT Meetings | JD2718

Going to UFT Meetings | JD2718

Going to UFT Meetings

There are people with perfect attendance and that’s not me, but I do like going to union meetings, and my attendance is pretty good.

There are four different kinds of United Federation of Teachers meetings I attend. And all of them have changed during the pandemic.

DR Meetings

At my DR’s meetings we have a small group. It’s possible to have real discussion. And when I have very specific issues in my school, I can have a private conversation and get answers. Chapter Leaders meet each other, socialize. Eat. Sometimes we have similar problems. And when the DR makes a point, CLs can give specific examples, reinforce the point, clarify.

During the pandemic the DR meetings have become less rich. Losing the food hurts. Forget the line that food brings people to meetings – it’s true – but it’s the wrong people. Losing food hurts because the quality of conversation over food is generally higher. People focus better, listen better. Losing the social aspect hurts. I talk with who I sit with. And on a zoom? I am on my couch. Is it possible to get specific questions answered? Yes, but… not really in the flow of the meeting. I am better off sending an email or placing a phone call. And chapter leaders do not hear each other.

In August, when there was strike talk, large meetings were organized. They were on zoom. People talked. Communicated in the chat. I think the UFT leadership hated those meetings. Hated hearing voices that disagreed with them. This was not regular opposition people (who are actually fairly disciplined, and follow meeting rules) – but regular members who blurted stuff out. I think, as a result, many UFT CONTINUE READING: Going to UFT Meetings | JD2718

NYC Educator: UFT Town Hall November 23, 2020

NYC Educator: UFT Town Hall November 23, 2020

UFT Town Hall November 23, 2020

By special guest Mindy Rosier

 

UFT President Michael Mulgrew % PM

Thank you for coming on. Thank you for all you are doing. I want to use today to explain what we are dealing with. We have a lot to cover. 

I really wanted to do this Town Hall this week because it's Thanksgiving. Be safe, follow advice of the medical professionals.  You all heard about instances of family gatherings and it spreads. 

When we first put our plan together, we also needed a plan in place to reopen. We fought for the cleaning, procedures, small class sizes, ple, we had guidance in place what would happen if the rates go up. 

There was no state plan until Oct. There are 2 different plans and its confusing. The difference is the city doesn't have the legal authority to shut businesses down. The state does. The city threshold was 3%. . The state is always recalculating. There are always two sets of numbers. They calculated things differently.  The state us right now a little lower in the city. A couple of weeks ago they were higher. 

 3 is the mayor's number. The epidemiologist said that was fine, though certain districts can shut the whole city down. 

We should have only plan. The state was closing schools at a very rapid pace in their system. We like it with the colors. Testing ramps up in yellow. Orange is when they start shutting things down and red nothing is working. 

The two plans look ridiculous to the public. Think of where we started. We came up with the plan and we have to follow the plan. The mayor did the right thing to follow this plan. But the state has a better plan. The city didn't want to do it this way. We knew it would be much better that if there was an area that's a problem,that area would close the schools of that area. The people in the schools, they are all doing their jobs keeping the schools safe. But we can't s control the community. We need to all work together. Schools won't stay safe if the rates go up. It is important we have a plan in place, having 2 plans do not make sense. The state did not have a plan before but the state is much more aggressive with testing. As we move thru this, there will be more challenges. Six or seven districts caused the whole system to shut down. The city plan was approved by the state. The state will continue to kove forward with testing and remote if necessary.  

Decisions need to be made to keep a of us safe and our families. These constantly changes, everything gets politicized. Vaccine info is looking good. We are going to see when this goes. When will we open? Everyone is getting very concerned and with traveling for Thanksgiving.  City expects the state to put the whole city in orange. We need to get the CONTINUE READING: NYC Educator: UFT Town Hall November 23, 2020