Hugh M. Spoljaric, President
Kingston Teachers’ Federation
“The AmBush of Public Education”
In the movies, when a character recognizes that it’s a set-up or an ambush, it’s always too late to avoid the inevitable. Only with early recognition could they have been saved. When inspecting the education budget presented by George W. Bush, the inevitable will occur if there is no recognition that we’re being set up for failure.
On February 3, the President
released his $2.2 trillion budget proposal for fiscal year 2004. The common
themes in the education proposal are of flexibility, accountability, and
choice. There are modest increases in non-defense spending, a move toward
privatizing services, and the elimination or consolidation of services. Of
specific concern is the direction of federal money for education.
There is over $758 million in education
voucher/choice proposals and tuition tax credits. Nearly half the fund ($301
million) can be directed to private school, with the remaining funds provided
for public school choice, charter schools, and magnet school programs.
Funds
that can be used for private schools include:
$226 million dedicated for refundable tax
credits for parents transferring a child from a low-performing public school.
The credit covers 50% of the first $5,000 in tuition, fees, and transportation
costs. Eligible students would be those that did not make adequate yearly
progress for the prior year. There is $75 million for a voucher plan, called a
“Choice Incentive Fund” that would give funds to states, school districts, and
community-based organizations to provide vouchers that allow students in
lo-performing schools to attend higher-performing schools, charter schools, or
private schools.
The budget seems to provide a $2.8 billion
(5.8%) increase for the Department of Education, but its misleading. 45
existing programs are eliminated, reducing the accounts by $1.5 billion. Most
notable are the Comprehensive School Reform Program and the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards. Another 30 programs are cut, including
after-school initiatives, safe and drug free schools, and community technology
programs. And, what appears to be good news--$1 billion increases for Title I
and IDEA respectively, $75 million for reading programs, and $100 million for
mentoring initiatives---really is not. When all programs under the No Child
Left Behind Act are added together, the proposal provides $9 million less than
Congress authorized for 2004 and is $199 million below the amount needed to
maintain purchasing power at the 2002 level.
The President’s budget does not include
funding for a war with Iraq and is projected on an upturn in the economy. With
a current deficit of $304 billion, a change in status of either situation will
eliminate any possibility of restoring cuts or providing increases. Yet, with
depleting funds, the ‘set-up for failure’ mandates continue for public schools.
These unfounded mandates are the bait for the privatization and voucher
programs to take advantage of the President’s budget agenda. The result may
doom public education, as we know it. We must recognize an ambush to avoid the
inevitable.
And
that’s the Bottom Line.
SAFETY FOCUS SHIFTS
In 1993, a student shot a teacher at a Walton, NY school in the face. This incident prompted NYSUT to establish the Safety in the Classroom initiative. At the same time, the KTF formed a safety committee to address issues of increasing violence in the schools. Vince Voerg became the chairman and immediately began to address local issues of safety and violence. He has passionately pursued safety issues on behalf of KTF members for the past 10 years. Last week, he announced that he was stepping down. Voerg stated, “The KTF has always been ahead of the curve on safety issues. The programs and rules are now in place. It’s time for existing plans to be fully carried out, and its up to every KTF member to become an active participant and advocate for safety.”
In 1994, a Superintendent’s Conference Day
was dedicated to safety issues. The NY State Police instructed educators on the
importance of assessing a situation and of avoiding the escalation of any
incident. By 1998, following Columbine, the district stated that safety was a
priority and that a task force would be put in place. Unfortunately, despite
many hours of devoted time, the district failed to follow through. In fact, the
district failed to meet state deadlines when safety committees were mandated.
SAVE legislation was enacted in July 2000. In 2001, a district safety
coordinator was appointed and a safety response system was instituted.
Voerg stated, “The KTF has been pro-active
in identifying areas of concern and of establishing criteria for a safe
workplace for educators and students. With all of the work that has been done,
it is now time for the district to fully implement and enforce the existing
plans.”
Every KTF member should use the universal
Incident Form to report safety concerns. The completed form should be given to
the Principal with a copy to the Building Rep and the member retaining a copy.
If the member believes that the issue has not been addressed satisfactorily,
they are to file the Incident Report again, this time with the District Safety
Coordinator and a copy to the Building Rep.
Valid concerns can be aligned with
existing rules and laws, such as Board policy, Project SAVE legislation, and
Codes of Conduct. As Voerg points out, “Members should feel empowered to work
together in our schools to assure a safe workplace.”
MIRIAM’S NEW
ROLE
New Federal regulations for providers of health care are now in effect. Issues pertaining to claim filing and privacy have been addressed by the Trust and by National Health Administrators. As a result, there are new guidelines to be followed by members.
With electronic filing came Federal HIPAA laws addressing issues of privacy. Each department is required to designate, assign, and bond specific jobs for each administrator. As such, only those designated individuals have the right to access member information.
These new regulations affect the services that Miriam White is allowed to perform for members.
If member’s contact Miriam relative to issues of privacy, such as procedures, claim’s, billing, compliance, etc., she has to, by law, refer you to the designated individual at National Health. She may assist with general information, such as enrollment and forms, but in all other cases she will transfer you to the designated individual.
Members may access information on the NHAI website for Kingston at www.nhai.net or through www.nysut.org, Locals on Line, Kingston Teachers’ Federation, National Health.
Members are reminded to tell providers of
the new claim’s office in Endicott, listed on the new ID Cards. Have your
provider scan your new card. Members mailing claims directly to NHA are also
reminded to use the new address. Call Miriam at the office for new claim forms
or download them from the NHAI web site.
ULSTER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Here are updates on activities at UFCU through May 31.
*January
17-May 3: Bigler-Cioni Scholarships for graduating high school seniors and
students currently enrolled in college fulltime.
*January-April
15: Henry Gleich will be taking appointments for the UFCU tax filing service.
Appointment times are at the Washington Ave. office on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
*February
1-March 31: Home Equity Loans on sale!
*March
1-April 15: Tax Loan Special—checks must be made payable to NY State or to the
IRS.
*March
4, 11, 18: Passport to Retirement seminars with Kevin Ginty.
*March
25: Annual Meeting, Hillside Manor, 6 pm
*April
1-May 31: Auto Loan Special: Watch statement insetrts and lobby notices for
Super low rates.
*DINO
KIDS CLUB: Children 12 and younger. It teaches children about the banking
process.
Please
call Stacy at 845-339-5544, ext. 132 for rates and further information on any
of these topics.
Retired KHS English Teacher and Fulbright
scholar Mary Leonard will be performing a reading from her newly published book
of poetry entitled 21st Century Flint on Sunday, February 23,
from 4-5:30 pm at the Uptown Café on North Front Street in Kingston’s Stockade
district. Joy Martin-Moore, a retired KHS foreign language teacher whose last
teaching assignment was on the QE 2, will present her photographs, both framed
and in card form, at the reading. Half of the $5 admission fee and all of the
sale profits will be donated to the Oncology Support Center and Cancer
Foundation at Benedictine Hospital.
Congratulations to Miller Middle School
teachers Bob Shaut and Rick Wixom on the creation of the Hudson Valley Youth
Jazz Band. The 18-member group features student musicians from various high
schools from Niskayuna to Newburgh (nearly half from Kingston) performing the
music of the big bands. Most of their efforts are directed toward the music of
Duke Ellington and an upcoming band competition of his music.
A new law in New York State mandates that
drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks regardless of the presence of walk
lights.
Former KHS law related education teacher Emil (Butch) Zullo was honored with the dedication of the Emil Zullo Courtroom at Kingston High School. Local judges, lawyers, and present and former colleagues, including former Social Studies Supervisor Bonnie McCaig attended the January 30 ceremony.
My
Dear Friends,
Words cannot express my appreciation and
gratitude for your generosity and support. I am overwhelmed by all of the cards,
email messages, Mass cards, prayers, and kind words of support. I wish that I
were able to thank each of you personally and to give you a big hug.
When I told my son, Eddie, of your
kindness, he walked away sadly. Ten minutes later he came back, looked into my
eyes and in a low voice said, “Mom, you are very lucky to have so many good
friends.” How correct he was. You truly are good people and will always be a
part of my life and my family. You have given me the courage to endure whatever
comes along.
Please know that I am well aware that each
of you has health and financial problems of your own, and that I am no more
special than you. This makes your kindness even more special and valued.
Thank you, again, and may you always enjoy
good health and happiness.
With much love and affection, Pat Gleason
To Ellen Listort on the loss of her brother; to Bill Tubby on the passing of his grandmother; to Craig Michelewski on the death of his mother-in-law; to Pat Trodler on the loss of her mother-in-law; and to Sarah Young on the passing of her grandmother.
FREE/FOR SALE
Electrically operated hospital bed and manually operated hoyer. If anyone knows an organization that has a lending closet and could use these articles, they will be donated. Also, for sale, 1990 Ford econoline van with raised roof, wheelchair lift, and tie downs. Asking $2000. Contact Sandra Rose at 845-687-0815.
Also, for sale, a ‘gently used’ Nordic Track Ski Exerciser, Achiever model. Includes electric monitor, owner’s guide, and video. Original cost $800. Asking $400 or best offer. 845-658-9339.
KTF Retirees Join Firm
Retirees Gloria Blackman and Marilyn DeAngelo have joined the firm Win Morrison Realty at 55 John St., Kingston, which provides residential, commercial, and investment properties and creative financing, Gloria and Marilyn can be contacted at 845-339-1144 or at 1-800-836-0588.