Executive Board Meeting Notes 11/4/24
Election Preparedness and Safety, Class Size Reduction Funding, Pension Expo, NYHA, Women's March, Curriculum
School Calendar Update:
December 23rd will now be a non-working day, with all staff off.
Election Preparedness and School Safety:
Recent presidential elections have presented challenges in schools with heightened emotions.
Superintendents and their staff will be redeployed to schools for the next couple of weeks to monitor and address any issues that arise coming out of the election, with the Department's intent to ensuring a safe and respectful environment.
School principals have been instructed to document incidents and not ignore any issues.
The focus is on maintaining respectful debate and interactions, demonstrating dignity to students.
Political and Legal Actions:
The AFT has been coordinating efforts with other organizations and legal teams to monitor state certifications post-election.
There may be attempts to delay or block election certifications, particularly at the local and state levels, which could escalate to the Supreme Court.
Despite potential political turbulence, educators are urged to stay focused on teaching and maintaining a safe school environment.
Acknowledgment of Volunteer Efforts:
Acknowledgement was given to all members participating in political activities, such as door-knocking and phone banking and other engagements, with thousands of calls made nightly.
Class Size Reduction Initiative:
The DOE and UFT held a webinar to address class size reduction plans.
Schools can apply for funding specifically for hiring additional staff to lower class sizes, independent of regular budget allocations.
Principals must consult their school leadership teams when planning to use these funds.
Perkins Funding Re-evaluation:
The city and state are discussing the re-evaluation of the Perkins V federal funding plan for career and technical education (CTE).
Public hearings will be held, starting November 12, to gather input and shape future plans.
Pension Expo Success:
The first-ever Pension Expo was held on October 26 and was highly successful, attended by over 400 members.
The event included pension speakers, a panel of retirees, individual consultations, and various pension-related booths.
Positive feedback highlighted the value of direct interaction with experts for retirement planning.
The pension department expressed excitement over recent successful events and plans to host more expos, emphasizing the need for cross-departmental collaboration to make these possible.
Report on the Women's March in DC:
Members of the UFT Executive Board participated in the Women's March in DC, highlighting a day of unity focused on supporting women, non-binary people, and children. Acknowledgements were given to Vicki Primiano and Latrice Curry for their roles in organizing the event.
Upcoming Career Fair at Lehman College:
An event titled "Future in Focus" is scheduled for February 15, aimed at exposing high school students to unionized careers in NYC. Schools are encouraged to participate to promote union awareness among young people.
Special Education Survey and Training:
A survey related to special education had an 80% return rate. The results will help establish a baseline for understanding current conditions and shortages.
Enhanced Leave Benefits:
Updates were given on Paid Parental leave benefits that were moved in-house as of October 1, resulting in faster processing times for checks (now completed in 7-10 days).
ATRs (Absent Teacher Reserves) Issues:
Clarifications were provided on ATRs' roles and who they should contact for support, with the assurance that ATRs are now placed in the same school for the full year, similar to other educators.
Questions on the New York Health Act:
Questions about State Senator Rivera’s presentation on the New York Health Act at a future Delegate Assembly were addressed. It was noted that further meetings and clarifications are needed as the current version of the act does not meet financial feasibility requirements..
Meeting with Senator Rivera:
The Chair noted that the union had previously met with Senator Rivera and discussed the NYHA in depth. During this meeting, certain claims and points made by the member at the open mic were addressed, and it was mentioned that some of the member's statements were not accurate.
Senator Rivera himself reportedly admitted that he did not have answers to several important questions raised by the union members during their discussion.
Concerns About Financial Feasibility:
The Chair emphasized the importance of ensuring that any policy or act, such as the NYHA, must be financially viable for the union's members. The chair highlighted that the resolution previously passed by the delegate assembly mandated that the NYHA must make financial sense before it could be supported.
The Chair conveyed that, as currently written, the NYHA does not meet the financial feasibility criteria. Senator Rivera recognized some of these limitations, particularly regarding the coverage for retirees living out of state.
Fiduciary Responsibility and Healthcare Standards:
It was pointed out that the current healthcare benefits provided to members are superior compared to many other residents in the city. The Chair stressed that any transition to a new healthcare system like the NYHA must not jeopardize these benefits.
The Chair underscored that they are following the resolution passed at the delegate assembly, which requires that the NYHA be evaluated for financial sustainability. Given the current structure, the act is not deemed a viable option for members at this time.
Future Actions and Transparency:
The Chair indicated that Senator Rivera expressed an interest in having a follow-up meeting to find solutions to the issues raised.Â
In summary, while the union is open to further discussions about the NYHA, they maintain that it must meet stringent financial and practical standards to protect their members’ interests. The current draft of the NYHA does not align with these standards, and this concern was recognized by Senator Rivera in previous meetings.
Legislation Impacting TDA Beneficiaries:
Changes to the Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) program were explained. The TDA-B account, once unique to the Teachers’ Retirement System (TRS), was phased out as it was less beneficial compared to inherited IRAs, which offer more flexibility and investment options.
NYC Teachers' TDA (Tax-Deferred Annuity) program by Tom Brown, Executive Board Chairman of the TRS Board:
Historical Context and Initial Challenges:
In the past, when beneficiaries of deceased teachers received financial benefits, they were required to take the amount as a lump sum and declare it as income, which raised their tax bracket significantly.
Recognizing this burden, the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) Board, guided by three teacher members, created a unique solution for members to avoid this taxation issue.
Creation of the TDA Beneficiary (TDAB) Account:
The TRS developed the TDA-B account exclusively for members of the system, allowing beneficiaries (such as children or spouses) to receive benefits without needing to take a lump sum and face higher tax obligations.
This move set TRS apart from most other pension systems, as typical teachers’ pensions (e.g., in New York State or other states) did not have a pension-managed 403(b) plan.
Transition to Inherited IRA:
The introduction of the inherited IRA brought more advantages, offering flexibility in investments, immediate access to funds, and diverse financial services.
Recognizing these benefits, the TRS Board decided to phase out the TDAB program in favor of inherited IRAs. Existing beneficiaries in the TDAB were grandfathered in, but new beneficiaries were encouraged to opt for inherited IRAs for more financial benefits.
Continued Benefits and Cost Savings:
Members and their beneficiaries now have the option to transfer their benefits to inherited IRAs, gaining improved financial options and investment opportunities.
TRS continues to manage a unique 403(b) plan (TDA program) that is unmatched in other states, as most teachers outside of NYC need to use private banks or insurance companies for such plans.
The TRS 403(b) program charges significantly lower fees compared to private insurance and financial institutions. While private companies charge annual fees of 300 basis points (3%), TRS charges only 18 basis points (less than one-fifth of 1%).
Financial Security and UFT's Role:
The TRS's TDA program, with its low fees and fixed rate options, supports members' financial stability, supplementing their pension and social security benefits.
Notably, some teachers in states like California and Illinois do not receive social security benefits upon retirement. The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) has played a pivotal role in advocating for financial programs and benefits that enhance members' retirement security.
In conclusion, the creation and evolution of the TDA-B account and the shift to inherited IRAs illustrate the TRS Board's commitment to providing financial security for teachers and their beneficiaries. The UFT's political influence has also been crucial in ensuring these beneficial programs remain available to educators.
Curriculum Challenges:
Concerns were raised about superintendents going rogue with curriculum resources, particularly in mathematics.
High school teachers are collaborating in meetings to discuss issues related to illustrative math, involving the chancellor and deputy chancellor.
Issues include the lack of sufficient teacher guides for high school resources, prompting filings for additional support.
The UFT has successfully intervened to prevent evaluation components being tied to implementation tools.
Tenure Workshops:
Districts, including Districts 16 and 20, hosted tenure workshops attended by over 98 and 200 teachers, respectively. These workshops provide critical support and guidance for probationary teachers and featured presentations from superintendents and UFT facilitators.
Election and Political Engagement:
UFT participated in phone banking and labor walks to support political candidates, including efforts to elect Vice President Kamala Harris as President.
Three buses were sent to Pennsylvania for election support, with notable visits like First Lady Jill Biden greeting volunteers at a rally.
UFT leadership urged members to vote in-person on Election Day and to support Proposition 1, which had faced misleading negative ads.
Awareness and Appreciation Events:
Next week is School Psychologist Awareness Week; members were encouraged to acknowledge the psychologists in their schools.
UFT held College Appreciation events and noted positive feedback from pre-K social workers on their interactions with the new chancellor and deputy chancellor.
Community and Recognition:
District 25 hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renamed Paul Belong Community Campus, celebrating the late councilman's contributions.
Teacher Union Day was celebrated, recognizing individuals with Marsh Rama Awards for their service.
Reports highlighted strong participation in community and union events across various districts.
Upcoming Events:
District 25's family night is scheduled for January 18, coinciding with Martin Luther King Week.
There will be continued efforts to support teachers and foster collaboration among districts.
"Future in Focus" career fair on February 15th at Lehman College hearings on Perkins V funding for career/technical education on Nov 12, 13, Dec 17
Public hearings on Perkins V funding for career/technical education on Nov 12, 13, Dec 17
Next Steps:
Follow up on curriculum implementation issues with DOE leadership
Continue election-related volunteer activities and prepare for potential post-election challenges
Hold focus group on Illustrative Math curriculum issues with Chancellor present