1. Call for a motion of no confidence in Commissioner King 

In an interview with Liz Benjamin on Capitol Tonight on Jan. 9, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi stated that he will be asking the Board of Directors to approve a resolution to bring before the delegates at the RA for a vote of no confidence in state Education Commissioner John King. Despite the tremendous outcry from parents and educators about SED's botched implementation of the Common Core, Commissioner King continues to stall and tinker around the edges. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and children, teachers and principals will soon face another round of flawed exams and high-stakes consequences as a result of SED's flawed process. The Commissioner fails to recognize and fix the problems, and we cannot count on him to do what is needed to turn things around.

2. NYSUT says State of State ignores pressing problems

The union said Gov. Cuomo's rhetoric about creating "the best education system in the world" offered nothing to address the front-burner problems of testing, equitable state aid funding and implementation of the Common Core. NYSUT issued this statement to the media.

BTA retiree Tony Manganiello became a grandfather on December 25!  (the father is former Bronxville student Eric Manganiello).  Congratulations!

Please let Glenn Stockton and Meg Weiss know that you are available to collect food for the Food Bank for Westchester on Saturday morning, February 1.   I will be there at the conclusion of the district's budget workshop, which also occurs that morning.

Here's what Glenn had to say:

Our annual food drive is coming up. Starting next Wednesday the 22nd and continuing until the 5th of February, we will be collecting food and personal hygiene items for the Food Bank for Westchester. We have consistently been among the biggest donors among Westchester schools, so thank you for your past participation and generosity.

As before, boxes for collection will be placed in all the elementary classrooms, middle school academic classrooms, and in any high school teacher's room that would like one (HS teachers - let me know). There will also be a box in the MS/HS library and the Middle School office. Early next week, we will send an email home to parents about the drive and the items being collected. That list is also attached here so you can print it out and post it in your room.

Faculty (and students from the middle and high schools) are also invited to help collect goods at the A&P on Saturday, February 1st between 9am and 1pm. More than half of our annual collection comes from this event. If you can give an hour of your time, please email me and let me know when you can help.

The BTA and the District have negotiated a retirement incentive.  The deadline for announcing retirement under this incentive is January 24.