Support candidates who support public schools
t’s about more than simply voting red or blue in this year’s election. It’s about supporting candidates who support public education. In the 2022–23 New York state budget, NYSUT notched historic wins, thanks both to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s steadfast commitment to public education, and to the support of dedicated lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
“In a divided nation, we need to come together around issues that unite us — like our public schools,” said Andy Pallotta, NYSUT president.
Funding for public schools, colleges and hospitals; safe schools for all; repealing receivership; tier equity; and other vital concerns are priorities for NYSUT members. “It’s time to look beyond Republican or Democrat, and red or blue, and instead look to candidates who support issues that are most important to us,” said Pallotta, explaining why NYSUT doesn’t endorse solely along party lines. “As union members, party affiliation isn’t important. What matters is whether candidates support educators, support helping students and support keeping public schools the center of our communities.”
This election we’re committed to endorsing candidates, up and down the ballot, who will fight for the issues that matter most to NYSUT members.
— Andy Pallotta
When you head to the voting booth on Nov. 8, keep these goals in mind: increased funding for public K-12 schools, SUNYs, CUNYs and community colleges and hospitals; a permanent fix for Tier 6 inequalities and APPR; strengthening our higher education system; and creating strong, safe public schools that address the social-emotional needs of students, have appropriate staffing levels, and help make our communities safer by fostering community partnerships.
“We’re committed to working with state and local lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle, to ensure our schools live up to these ideals,” said Pallotta.
NYSUT has endorsed more than 200 candidates across the state who are strong supporters of public schools and our union. These candidates help lift our voices in the halls of power and advance our priorities. Below are some candidates we have endorsed.
Keeping schools safe
Part of NYSUT’s core mission is advocating for safe environments for our students and better
working conditions for our educators and school staff. We believe that safe, secure, welcoming school environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. Therefore, we must act — and act quickly — to address the escalating crisis of safety in our schools.
NYSUT launched a new Safe Schools for All Task Force to hear from members about school safety, get input on next steps and build a list of recommendations for how our state and districts can best support safe public schools as the center of every community. “We need to make sure that especially when we have so many students in crisis that it’s not just shiny bells and whistles. It’s making investments in things that do work, like the door locks,” said task force member Jaclyn Schildkraut, United University Professions/Oswego.
NYSUT SUPPORTS
Governor Kathy Hochul
Gov. Hochul has increased the state’s collaboration with communities facing increased violence, directing tens of millions of dollars in grants to community and hospital-based violence intervention programs that work to reduce incidents through mediation, mentoring and community engagement.
Properly funding schools
“I have been here a long time, and I see the effect of a lack of funding,” said Port Washington Teachers Association President Regina McLean, noting that the aid the district was shorted, around $4.1 million, led to ever-increasing class sizes. “We are squeezing kids in.”
The state made historic investments in public schools through this year’s budget, boosting total school aid by $31.2 billion, a 7.2 percent increase, and an additional $2.1 billion so districts can address staff shortages and hire more teachers, bus drivers and support staff.
NYSUT SUPPORTS
State Senator Anthony Palumbo
State Sen. Palumbo has fought for districts across the state to get their fair share of state funding, a goal NYSUT got closer to this past year when the state fully funded Foundation Aid after many years of neglect.
Educating the whole child
In 2020, prior to the pandemic, NYSUT launched a statewide Fund Our Future bus tour to highlight district needs. Leaders met Lance Mitchell, a school counselor and member of the Brighton Teachers Association, who underscored the important role that school clubs and other organizations play in keeping students centered — especially those who don’t participate in sports. “A connected student becomes an engaged student and an engaged student has the potential to thrive,” he said.
NYSUT SUPPORTS
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado
While speaking at NYSUT’s 2022 Representative Assembly, Lt. Gov. Delgado pledged his support for bolstering student social-emotional supports. His congressional record highlights his ability to reach across the aisle to get things done. In 2021, he was named the fourth most bipartisan member in Congress.
More funding for public
higher education
It is time to fund our SUNY, CUNY and community colleges to make our state college system the envy of the nation. Chronic underfunding and low staff pay have hampered our state’s growth and limited programs for higher education students.
“More is needed to reverse the impact caused by years of underfunding,” said Andy Sako, president of the Faculty Federation of Erie Community College. He said we must fully fund SUNY and CUNY schools and make college more affordable. “We will once again be looking to our friends in the Legislature.”
NYSUT SUPPORTS
Lea Webb
Lea Webb is a NYSUT and UUP member and will work for public higher education in the State Senate, fight to make college more affordable for all New Yorkers and transform SUNY into the best statewide public highereducation system in the nation by expanding its global reach as a leader in research and innovation.
Keeping schools safe
Part of NYSUT’s core mission is advocating for safe environments for our students and better
working conditions for our educators and school staff. We believe that safe, secure, welcoming school environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. Therefore, we must act — and act quickly — to address the escalating crisis of safety in our schools.
NYSUT launched a new Safe Schools for All Task Force to hear from members about school safety, get input on next steps and build a list of recommendations for how our state and districts can best support safe public schools as the center of every community. “We need to make sure that especially when we have so many students in crisis that it’s not just shiny bells and whistles. It’s making investments in things that do work, like the door locks,” said task force member Jaclyn Schildkraut, United University Professions/Oswego.
NYSUT SUPPORTS
Governor Kathy Hochul
Gov. Hochul has increased the state’s collaboration with communities facing increased violence, directing tens of millions of dollars in grants to community and hospital-based violence intervention programs that work to reduce incidents through mediation, mentoring and community engagement.
Educating the whole child
In 2020, prior to the pandemic, NYSUT launched a statewide Fund Our Future bus tour to highlight district needs. Leaders met Lance Mitchell, a school counselor and member of the Brighton Teachers Association, who underscored the important role that school clubs and other organizations play in keeping students centered — especially those who don’t participate in sports. “A connected student becomes an engaged student and an engaged student has the potential to thrive,” he said.
NYSUT SUPPORTS
Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado
While speaking at NYSUT’s 2022 Representative Assembly, Lt. Gov. Delgado pledged his support for bolstering student social-emotional supports. His congressional record highlights his ability to reach across the aisle to get things done. In 2021, he was named the fourth most bipartisan member in Congress.
Properly funding schools
“I have been here a long time, and I see the effect of a lack of funding,” said Port Washington Teachers Association President Regina McLean, noting that the aid the district was shorted, around $4.1 million, led to ever-increasing class sizes. “We are squeezing kids in.”
The state made historic investments in public schools through this year’s budget, boosting total school aid by $31.2 billion, a 7.2 percent increase, and an additional $2.1 billion so districts can address staff shortages and hire more teachers, bus drivers and support staff.
NYSUT SUPPORTS
State Senator Anthony Palumbo
State Sen. Palumbo has fought for districts across the state to get their fair share of state funding, a goal NYSUT got closer to this past year when the state fully funded Foundation Aid after many years of neglect.
More funding for public
higher education
It is time to fund our SUNY, CUNY and community colleges to make our state college system the envy of the nation. Chronic underfunding and low staff pay have hampered our state’s growth and limited programs for higher education students.
“More is needed to reverse the impact caused by years of underfunding,” said Andy Sako, president of the Faculty Federation of Erie Community College. He said we must fully fund SUNY and CUNY schools and make college more affordable. “We will once again be looking to our friends in the Legislature.”
NYSUT SUPPORTS
Lea Webb
Lea Webb is a NYSUT and UUP member and will work for public higher education in the State Senate, fight to make college more affordable for all New Yorkers and transform SUNY into the best statewide public highereducation system in the nation by expanding its global reach as a leader in research and innovation.
To see the full list of our endorsements, head to Page 4 of this issue, or go to nysut.org/Vote.
To see the full list of our endorsements, head to Page 4 of this issue, or go to nysut.org/Vote.