The just released drastic cuts in the City budget by Mayor Bill de Blasio includes a hiring freeze of educators except schools can hire ATRs for their vacancies. Since each year the New York City public schools needs to hire between 4 to 5 thousand teachers and there are one thousand ATRs, it would seem that, except for Art, Music, and Gym teachers the rest of the ATRs should be placed. Here is what UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the New York Post.
That means that there still will be a reduction in teachers and more overcrowded classrooms unless the Mayor rescinds the hiring freeze. I expect the union leadership will be unhappy since less teachers means less dues. Moreover, by placing the ATRs in vacancies the union no longer will be getting double dues. Finally, there are some principals who will refuse to hire ATRw in the mistaken belief that the ATRs are inferior teachers and will either try to seek a waiver from the hiring freeze or steal another school's teacher. We will see if the Mayor and Chancellor will keep the hiring freeze ironclad.
The Mayor's proposed budget can be found on James Eterno's ICEUFT blog.
The latest update (Saturday) of the covid-19 count can be found below.
Region........Infected............Deaths.........Percentage
Global........2,333,656........160,754..............6.9%
Nation..........739,041.........38,928...............5.3%.
State...........236,732..........15,806...............6.7%
NYC.............131,324..........12,712...............9.7%
UFT.................?...................44
Chaz,
ReplyDeleteWe have seen this before. Thanks for the analysis of asking will principals hire atrs.
I’m not sold on a hiring freeze.
It sounds great for the civilians to hear, but we will see what happens.
Hope I'm not placed at Bryant.
ReplyDeleteI hear more than 90% of her teaching staff are untenured/unappointed newbies.
Why do so many people complain about the principal and her admins?
Because they are corrupt, dishonest and incompetent.
DeleteWhen dealing with an incompetent mayor and a self-serving union president - nobody ever knows the truth. With a true hiring freeze the ATR pool will be or should be reduced tremendously. However, with merging schools more ATRs are expected. What is the number of ATRs these days? Does anyone know?
ReplyDeleteIt only took an Apocalyptic event to potentially end the ATR pool. The ATRs, who’ve been giving dues to the UFT their whole lives, might now begin to understand the only reason the ATR pool still exists, as of this moment, is because the UFT refused to fight to end it and the programs that ensured it (i.e. Fair Student Funding). It’s ironic that FSF, an accounting scheme Mulgrew refused to fight will be the means that will create incredible hardship for all teachers and the Uft. Mulgrew will be crying at the thought of the loss of all those newbie dues. Make him really cry - if you are an ATR opt out in June. Actually all teachers should opt out. Mulgrew allowed everyone into unsafe schools, that were deemed too unsafe for students. Some of those teachers are now dead. All he ( the real UFT - not you or I) cares about is money and power over us. Everyone needs a real union now. If Mulgrew was willing to send us to our deaths, how well do you think he’ll handle massive layoffs and standing up to deBlasio? That creampuff deBlasio shit all over Mulgrew. Cuomo, not Mulgrew, got the schools closed for his own political reasons (Parents and to have a daily publicity session) and because he hates DeBlasio . Demand real change or withhold your dues until the UFT complies.
ReplyDeleteIf and when ATR status staff get placed, will Central be paying for the salaries til the ATR status staff retires? I do not want to be anywhere that I am not wanted. Principals should be able to opt out if they are not interested in an ATR staff being placed permanently. There are too many malicious principals out there. NO THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteOn another note, did not see the 4 CAR days that were supposed to be posted in our CAR days. Any comments on this as well?
911
ReplyDeleteWhy do so many people complain about Bryant HS?
Because the school lacks true, honest , accountable leadership....a ghost-ship adrift in a turbulent sea.
The schools is spiraling out of control, and had the highest turnover because of an abusive and dishonest Principal that should have been removed many years ago.
DeleteSorry Chaz, I wrote the comment at 9:37. Couldn’t sign into my account earlier.
ReplyDeleteQUESTION: Why do you say that art, music and P.E. teachers would not be placed? Thanks for any info on this question.
ReplyDeleteJust as principals should be allowed to refuse a particular teacher, ATRs should be allowed to refuse a permanent position if they don't feel it's the right fit. Since transferring schools is so difficult, I would add a provision that any teacher who doesn't like their school can voluntarily excess themselves in June. Then they'll become a "free agent" where many principals will have the opportunity to pick them up.
ReplyDeleteOff topic, what is your opinion on adjusting our TDA accounts. Any changes made today won't happen until July 1st. Would it be wise to adjust our distributions to a higher percentage for the Fixed 7%? And do you think it would be good to shift funds out of the market choices into the fixed 7%? Using myself as an example. I am currently putting 30% into fixed 7% and 70% into Diversified Equity. My TDA funds are about 50/50 between the two. Since my last statement of 2019 the Diversified Equity has dropped about 20%. Should I cut my potential losses and move much of what's left to the Fixed 7% and should I maybe swap my distribution rates around and make them more like 30% into Diversified Equity and 70% going into the fixed 7%? I know you can't predict the future, but I can't see the markets continuing to buck against this devastated economy. Eventual the market will tank?? yes/no? Too bad Carson's still not on, we could ask Creskin. lol
ReplyDelete@8:24 PM - That is wishful thinking to voluntarily become excessed. That is a big NO. That would only create more ATRs. You could dream about it though.
ReplyDelete@ 8:24 pm. You mention 'add a provision that any teacher who doesn't like their school can voluntarily excess themselves in June". Why not just go on open market in June and get another school? Do you think UFT and DOE will agree to being able to just get excessed again? This would defeat the purpose of eliminating ATR pool.
ReplyDeleteTBH , I was an atr placed in a school, while it wasn't my first choice of assignments, I have been treated fair, and it is better then then I expected- esp considering i wished to remain an atr.
ReplyDeleteOn the very first day way back in September we were shown a video of Michel Mulgrew and
ReplyDeleteRichard Carranza taking about teaching. In this video they both said that neither one of them were very good at teaching. Now one is the head of the union and the other is the head of the department of education. As former teacher once told me "in the board of ED shit floats to the top.
For anyone who doubts Chaz or James from ice UFT, you shouldn’t.
ReplyDeleteI started in the doe in 2005. That fall, we voted on the contract that gave us the open market and extended day. I voted yes. Veterans said vote no. I did not listen.
Hindsight is 20-20. However, that contract did the hole of being a Nyc teacher being a good job.
We love to talk about how ‘great’ Weingarten was, but I disagree. She negotiated that contract and sold it to members.
James and Chaz keep asking about the fsf. That’s a huge question!
Until fsf is dissolved, atrs won’t end.
Unitymustgo. It depends on your age and goals. I'm in my 40's and had 85% in stocks and when the prices came down in march I put in to make it 95% and I also increased my contribution rate when schools closed (no gas, parking, etc). Whatever you do don't sell low. "This too shall pass". In a few months or at worst a couple years this will all be a blip on the screen.
ReplyDeleteThe doe has deep pockets and spends recklessly. Yes, they told the civilian population that spending needs to be curbed, but I don’t see it.
ReplyDelete20 years in the doe and the only thing I know for sure is that if something makes sense, the doe will do the opposite.
Every year the DOE discusses budget cuts and then add more money to budget. I worked for an incompetent AP who would tell us in Sept that we had no money. This would go on until April or May . In June she'd ask us for time cards and even pay us for July and August with funds from June. She'd have to spend the money. Blah blah blah.... You want to save money get rid of useless district people and Tweed.
ReplyDeleteTJL, thanks for the advice. I want to be confident like you but I'm not sure. I'm 50 so hmmmmmm. I decide to shift some of my TDA into the fixed for now. And I swapped my contributions to 70% fixed 30% Diversified Equity. I'm concerned that after what will very likely be botched and controversial "reopenings" everywhere, that will cause new spikes and deaths, that will lead to polarizing decisions to re-close or not to re-close, that finally the markets will tank after hanging in there. Who knows. I'll still have skin in the game and if I miss time a little oh well. I'll see where things are in May/June and maybe still be able to cancel the changes? Again thank you for advice a responding.
ReplyDelete11:53,
ReplyDeleteI remember a contract around then. A jerk of a veteran teacher kept saying it was a good deal-more time for more money. What did he care, he was retiring soon. So teachers agreed to work 5 extra days- after 20 years that's 100 extra days. They tried to do that to the cops and they said "No way!" Honestly, I think teachers wormed their way out of it, maybe making it PD or something. At the same time the contract took away school secretaries sabbaticals... When the members turn on each other, the city, DOE, union, and admins can get away with anything. Shame on us.
In response to unitymustgo, I have maxed out on the TDA for years and I'm on the verge of retirement. I agree with TJL that you should not take your money out now and put it in the fixed. That was the mistake that many teachers did back in 2009. I kept my money in the Variable A and my money DOUBLED in $ in 5 years. Don't get discouraged; this will pass. If the stock market crashes, the whole economy will go into a depression and that is what the Feds are trying to avoid by doing quantitative easing and the PPP. Fiat money is worthless=Monopoly Money and stocks have more value. Remember buy low and sell high.
ReplyDelete@Unitymustgo - Although I have the majority of TDA in fixed and have been maxed for years, do have a Roth IRA as well which of course is heavy in the stock market and is absorbing the fluctuations. Am not touching my Roth at all unless it's to put more in while the market is low. Have made good investments and am not concerned. Eventually the stock market will become more stable. Refrain from emotional investments and concentrate on value.
ReplyDeleteWe lost another teacher in the Bronx this week, still to be determine if it was Covid -19 related. He was sick and died at home. He was age 54 and planning to retire in June. He gave out those computers and iPads on those three days of mandated workshops for teachers to parents. Who knows if this is where he was he infected. A beautiful soul was snuffed out for what????? Shame on the city. Shame on us. Rest in peace Louis Barcleo PS/MS 280.
ReplyDeleteHow come If I have my TDA all in Fixed, it’s down almost $100,000? I changed my investment from “variable A” after I took a hit in 2008. I thought fixed was a more secured investment. What am I missing?
ReplyDelete4:02,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. It's terrible to lose a colleague, especially a nice one.