UFT Virtual Town Hall (2/6/25) – Unofficial Minutes

During tonight’s town hall, Mulgrew discussed potential extra pay for paraprofessionals, Trump’s initial weeks in office, and several other topics, including curriculum and class size. He updated members on the efforts to persuade the New York City Council to approve legislation that would provide paraprofessionals with $10,000+ in permanently recurring annual payments. This proposal is intriguing as it circumvents pattern bargaining. Some, myself included, have been skeptical about its timing during an election year, especially given that the proposed legislation appears to be far from a vote. Mulgrew’s mention of powerful opposition is concerning in this regard, but that shouldn’t stop us from supporting the idea. The ARISE coalition has published a statement critically evaluating this strategy, which ultimately supports the proposed legislation while also thinking through other approaches that are needed long-term. I suggest reading the statement in full.

Mulgrew also spoke about Trump, suggesting that we are more protected from potential attacks than people think. This could be true, and he may be right to discourage giving in to chaos and fear. Nonetheless, I believe we need far more focus on organizing members to combat potential threats to public education and labor. Now is the time for UFT members to mobilize, not be mollified. 

Other updates were largely reiterations of previous news, which sadly means we may be treading water in areas like fixing Tier 6, but I encourage you to review the entirety of the minutes and draw your own conclusions.

Unofficial Minutes Begin

Pay Equity Bill for Paraprofessionals

Not just about paras. Plan to try to change the rules of pattern bargaining. Paras trapped in unfair pay gap – asking for additional 10K per year

Can’t retain them because of unfair pay – one title should not have to fund another. Para raise would be funded with City funds. Step forward in fighting against pattern bargaining system – funded from general city funds, not collective bargaining reserves. Remove the city’s leverage for pattern bargaining

A lot of political work to get it through the City Council. Powerful forces against this.

Trump Executive Orders

An executive order isn’t a law. Federal government not in charge of our school system. 

– Goal is to cause chaos and fear.

– Ending radical indoctrination in K-12 schooling

– Expanding educational freedom and opportunity for families

– Protecting American people against invasion

– In progress – ending DOE

But there are laws to protect us. 

Title 1 started in the 60s – provides money – IDEA is for students with disabilities – laws that prevent him from withdrawing funds. Attorney generals are ready to fight

Will go to court over Title 1 funding if they try to take it away. Said they will only try to get money from other programs for the first year; not Title 1, Title 2, Title 3, or IDEA.

Teach the constitution – you can’t do this!

ICE – cannot enter without a judicial warrant. DOE does not consent to non-local law enforcement assessing school facilities. Principals can’t give consent.

Schools are safe. Judicial warrants are extremely difficult to get. Teachers will do what they have to do.

Workshop on protecting undocumented students and families (link): Sign Up Here!

Resources (link): UFT Resources for Undocumented Students and Families

Class Size Update

Money comes directly to the school budget

800 schools applied. Applications under review. 

Lobbying to make sure all state funds for class size will be used to fund as many applications as possible.

Tier 6

Goals: 

30/55 – big ticket item

Decreased early retirement reductions

Lower member contributions

Tier 4 took 23 years to fix age issue.

Curriculum

Guidance released in December for Elementary literacy curriculums

Earlier this week guidance was issued for NYC Solves math curriculum

New guidance includes: no excessive data collection, teacher autonomy, pacing flexibility, streamlined assessments, professional learning, clarifications, and extra supports

Curriculum should be for teachers, by teachers

Restructuring Special Education – same plan, new name. 

Q&A

Q: What will happen to public schools if DOE is dismantled? Will we lose a lot of funding?

A: Main thing we need from the federal government is funding. Most funding is tied into laws(?) – can’t touch that money. They won’t touch that money this year. Dismantling the US DOE is a distraction. Confident AG Leticia James will be aggressive. Don’t get crazy about this. Media reports this incorrectly – looking to create content and controversy. If elected officials touch money we will share their choices publically. Title programs are the most important things the federal government does for DOE.

Q: Do we need to worry about our pensions and TDA under this administration? 

A: No. State law issue. State law says that you can’t diminish pension benefits once someone enters into a pension tier.

Q: What legal protections or actions will UFT offer members to protect students if ICE enters the classroom for a specific child? Are members legally protected from preventing ICE from removing kids?

A: If an ICE agent shows up with a judicial warrant, they’d have the legal right to remove that child from the school building. Any UFT member that is arrested – we have a program set up, a bunch of lawyers to deal with it. However, this is not something that has happened. They want to cause fear, panic, and anxiety. Distraction so they can get other things done (massive tax breaks for millionaires)

Q: Will the governor pass a cell phone ban?

A: State legislature would have to pass it. Governor signs it into law. Governor wants to do it. Cannot become a burden on teachers – removed when enter, get it back when they leave. If it has to cost money, it must be a funded mandate. Parents need ways to get in touch with students in case of emergency. Going to be pushback – students don’t like it. Takes 6 months for people to like it. Governor read research about phones & mental health – taking a lead on it. It’s harming kids

Q: Updates regarding congestion pricing?

A: Court case still moving forward. Both judges said validity to two major issues with lawsuits. 1) Constitutionality to charge people who go to work.  2) Environmental impact.  Pollution moved from affluent to poor neighborhoods. Distressing for families. Governor had no choice – passed into law. Popular in Manhattan (less traffic) – what about everybody else?

Q: What is being done to assist Special Education teachers? IEPs are time consuming & can’t be done during the school day. SpEd teachers also missing planning meetings.

A: DOE only just working on modifications – every school needs to figure it out. Arbitration on SESIS system – new system doesn’t work. Document workday. What can and can’t be done. Doing kids a disservice because ISS teachers can’t plan properly. Will win with documentation. New SESIS rolling out. More to come.

Q: Will there be a Retirement buyout?

A: No. There is a workforce challenge. Not going incentivize people to leave when there’s openings. Federal wants nothing to get done (also no snow days)