December 8th 2025 Executive Board Meeting Notes
Mayoral Transition, Fixing Tier Six in '26, Para Respect Check and more...
Opening:
The meeting commenced with an acknowledgment of the late Charles Bayer, a cherished retired teacher, unionist, and activist in Chelsea. Mindy Rosier expressed deep sorrow at his loss and highlighted his significant contributions and recent passing. A moment of silence was observed in his honor.
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes from the Executive Board meeting of December 1st, 2025, were reviewed and approved unanimously.
The agenda comments from December 5th, 2025, were also presented and approved without opposition.
President’s Report:
President Mulgrew took the floor, wishing all a happy holiday season.
Updates were provided on the ongoing search for a new chancellor by the Mamdani administration, emphasizing the need for collaboration to address bureaucratic challenges in the Department of Education.
Discussions included working with transition committees and political developments, notably the future City Council speaker, Julie Menin, and ongoing advocacy for the Para bill.
Healthcare Update:
Carl Cambria reported on the status of the NYCE PPO health plan and that despite legal challenges, the plan is set to launch on January 1st.
Special Education:
Mary Jo Ginese, VP of Special Education, emphasized the ongoing efforts to address recurring special education issues. Schools are encouraged to have active special ed committees and to document matters consistently on the Hub.
Community Reports: SPECIAL EVENTS
Reports from various districts highlighted community and school events:
Undrea Polite provided an update on a tenure workshop held on December 4, 2025. This event was the first opportunity for District 75 members to meet new superintendent, Dr. McCoy. The session was productive, with Latrice Curry and Christian Callaghan answering many questions, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and engagement. We are steadfast in our commitment to ensure every District 75 teacher achieves tenure. Additionally, we have a fun gathering scheduled for December 16th at 809 Bar and Grill, where we will meet UFT President Mulgrew. We invite everyone from District 75 to join us for this enjoyable evening.
Last Monday, we marked World AIDS Day with about 30 members present. It was a poignant occasion held at the epicenter of the AIDS crisis, fostering a sense of hope and commemorating those affected. We appreciate your support and hope more can join next year.
Manhattan hosted a legislative meet & greet on Tuesday, December 2nd, thanks to Marquise Harrison and Servia Silva’s efforts. The event was beautifully organized, and the team excelled in their duties. Brooklyn followed on December 4th with Greg Monti and Elizabeth Perez leading a similarly successful event. Members engaged proactively with the elected officials who attended, which greatly enriched the occasions. Next up are Staten Island and Queens, then we’ll wrap up the year with the Bronx.
UPCOMING EVENTS
On December 9, 2025, the Jewish Heritage Committee is holding an online meeting; registration can be done via their email or at professionalcommittees@uft.org
Additionally, the Irish Heritage Committee is planning an event for February 5th.
We are excited to announce our upcoming SRP (School Related Professionals) celebration on Friday, December 19th. With over 100 registrations so far, it promises to be a lively and fun night at the HANA House, celebrating our paraprofessionals, school secretaries, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and others. It’s been a great year, and we look forward to honoring everyone’s hard work.
On December 11th, the Asian American Heritage Committee will host an origami workshop, followed by the African Heritage Committee’s Kwanzaa celebration on December 12th in Queens.
We will be having a Coquito and Chill Fundraiser, organized by the AFT Latino Caucus, this event will be held on December 18th at the War Room in the Bronx. Attendees will enjoy Coquito, a traditional Puerto Rican holiday beverage, and participate in fundraising efforts for the Maria Portalatin National Scholarship. Flyers and a QR code for registration were disseminated during the meeting, with an emphasis on community engagement and cultural celebration.
Ugly Sweater and Toy Drive Events: District 15: Scheduled for December 12, 2025, participants are encouraged to don their favorite ugly sweaters while contributing toys for a holiday drive. District 9: Similar to District 15’s event, this will be held at We Bar 47 on Brooklyn Boulevard in the Bronx, fostering community spirit and generosity during the holiday season.
We will be having a Toy giveaway on December 18th in Harlem. This event aims to bring joy to children in the community. Flyers included QR codes for volunteer registration and student participation to ensure a seamless, inclusive experience.
COMMUNITY ACTION AND LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
We’ve made notable progress on Tier 6. We now have a rare opportunity to make significant strides. This year, we aim to tackle the age issue head-on. Our strategic plan involves monthly action on the 6th of each month to build momentum and expand participation, much like our successful contract campaign. These ongoing efforts will set the stage for a powerful rally in Albany on March 8th. A toolkit and supplementary materials will be provided to chapter leaders to ensure widespread involvement and understanding.
District 30 Actions Against ICE Raids: In response to recent ICE raids, the district is organizing community support and training sessions. This includes distributing whistles for alerts and establishing volunteer groups to ensure safety and solidarity among community members, underscoring a commitment to protecting vulnerable residents and students.
Fix Tier Six in ‘26 Resolution - Passed resolution calling for expansive Tier Six campaign this year with monthly schools based actions leading up to Albany rally in march where we will be joining other locals from across New York State.
Closing:
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on the Tier Six campaign’s significance and a call to action for the upcoming Albany rally.
Members were reminded of continued legislative engagement in 2026 and thanked for their dedication.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned with holiday wishes to all members and will reconvene on January 12th.