September 28, 2026
The United Federation of Teachers Executive Board convened on September 28, 2026, for its second meeting of the year. The session featured the approval of previous meeting minutes, significant discussion of ongoing class size compliance challenges, guidance on new professional development requirements, and updates on community engagement initiatives. Below is a comprehensive summary of key decisions, action items, and announcements.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Board approved three sets of minutes without objection: the Executive Board minutes from September 14, 2026; the AdCom minutes from September 18, 2026; and the AdCom minutes from September 25, 2026.
CLASS SIZE COMPLIANCE AND STUDENT PLACEMENT ISSUES
A critical issue emerged regarding the Department of Education’s Borough Enrollment Centers placing students into classes that have achieved compliance with class size standards, thereby violating the school’s compliant status. A two-year-old DOE/UFT/CSA policy explicitly states that students should not be assigned to schools or grades in a manner that removes them from compliance. However, enrollment officers are reportedly claiming that compliant classes have room for additional students without considering the impact on overall school compliance.
The Board emphasized that a class’s compliance status is determined by enrollment levels, not by its funding source. Even if a teacher is funded through class size money, the determining factor for compliance is whether the class meets legal enrollment limits, not which budget line item covers the teacher’s salary.
The issue is expected to escalate, as more schools achieve compliance, fewer placements remain available, creating pressure on the DOE to achieve higher compliance targets. The Board requested detailed information from schools experiencing these placement violations and committed to escalating the matter with DOE leadership. Notably, the Principals Association (CSA) is now aligned with UFT efforts on this issue, a meaningful shift from previous advocacy dynamics.
ACTION: Chapter leaders and members are requested to provide school details regarding over-the-counter student placements that violate compliance status. The UFT will forward this information to the DOE.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULING AND COMPLIANCE GUIDANCE
The Board addressed significant scheduling conflicts surrounding mandatory DOE training, specifically a harassment prevention course with assigned Zoom sessions at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.—times that conflict with teaching schedules, lunch periods, and prep time. Many teachers reported that their principals have not acknowledged the requirement to provide paid professional development time for these trainings.
The Board clarified that UFT guidance previously issued—though not circulated this year—establishes that these trainings must be completed during paid professional development time, not during teachers’ self-directed prep periods (which are typically 40 minutes) or duty-free lunch. Training duration frequently exceeds 40 minutes, making completion during prep impossible.
The Board committed to re-issuing the DOE training guidance document and ensuring chapter leaders have clear, written documentation to present to principals and supervisors regarding teacher rights to paid time for mandatory training compliance.
ACTION: The UFT will re-issue DOE training professional development guidance and share it with the Executive Board for distribution to chapter leaders.
CLASS SIZE LAW COMPLIANCE AND TEACHER COMPENSATION
The Board provided clarity on the timeline and scope of teacher compensation for classes that exceed legal size limits under the class size law. The city is currently targeting 70% compliance for 2026 and is projected to achieve approximately 68%, necessitating selective compensation for teachers in the remaining non-compliant classes.
The compensation framework combines compliant classes and exempted classes to reach annual compliance targets. This year, only a small percentage of non-compliant class teachers will receive compensation. However, the framework creates accountability: in subsequent years (2027 at 78%, 2028 at 90%, etc.), increasing percentages of teachers in non-compliant classes will receive compensation until the city achieves and maintains 100% compliance.
This approach opens a critical accountability door. It prevents the DOE from indefinitely delaying compliance improvements at no cost, while ensuring that teachers working in legally non-compliant classrooms receive recognition and compensation for the challenging conditions they manage. The ultimate goal is to reach full compliance so that no teacher requires this compensation—reflecting a system where all classes meet legal requirements.
The Board noted a distinction from contractual class size grievances, which have yielded time off but never compensation. This new legal framework represents the first opportunity to secure financial recognition for oversized class work.
HEALTH BENEFITS AND WELFARE FUND ENROLLMENT GUIDANCE
New members frequently ask about health benefits and welfare fund enrollment deadlines. The Board clarified that members have 30 days from the start of employment to enroll in union health benefits and the separate welfare fund. The enrollment process is managed through the Office of Labor Relations (OLR) and requires completing paperwork that chapter secretaries can assist with.
Available health plans include multiple options through the NYC DOE, with the NICE PPO plan recommended as both comprehensive and cost-effective. Members should select plans based on their family needs and provider networks. Enrollment information is included in the “New Teacher” pamphlet distributed in the New York Teacher publication each year.
The Board also maintains a new-member checklist available on the Hub and other resources, which outlines both health benefits and welfare fund enrollment requirements alongside other critical onboarding steps.
ACTION: The UFT will distribute an updated new-member health and welfare fund enrollment checklist to staff and share it via social media to increase awareness and improve new member onboarding.
F-STATUS AND SUBSTITUTE TEACHER VERIFICATION ISSUES
The Board heard concerns about inefficient and burdensome HR verification processes affecting F-status teachers (substitute and part-time educators), returning retirees who are re-entering as substitutes, and seasonal teachers with prior DOE employment. Despite having existing files, Social Security numbers, and teaching certifications on record, these individuals are being required to repeat the entire HR verification process, including in-person visits to DOE offices at Court Street.
This duplication is particularly problematic because different HR sub-units are not communicating with one another—one department does not know what information exists in another system. Teachers who previously held full-time positions or have been employed by DOE in other capacities are being treated as new hires, forcing them through the same verification pipeline repeatedly.
The Board noted that in today’s digital environment, verification methods used for mortgages, vehicle loans, and legal documents (electronic signature platforms like DocuSign) should be available for DOE employee verification rather than requiring in-person office visits. The Board committed to collecting specific cases and escalating the matter with DOE HR to advocate for streamlined and electronic verification options.
ACTION: Chapter leaders should forward information about F-status and substitute teacher verification issues to the Board; the UFT will escalate cases with DOE HR and advocate for electronic verification alternatives.
TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS AND IRMA AUDIT
The DOE’s Information Review and Approval (IRMA) system, which evaluates school technology applications, has undergone its first comprehensive audit in over a decade. During the audit process, applications have been disabled and re-enabled with limited notice, sometimes mid-day, disrupting teacher instruction and planning.
The DOE has agreed to discontinue mid-day application terminations, representing progress. The UFT’s CareerTech Vice President reported that commonly used applications have been successfully restored, including Adobe and CAD software. YouTube remains restricted but remains accessible through alternative tools and workarounds.
The Board emphasized that it continues to work closely with the DOE’s DIIT (Digital Instruction and Information Technology) division to resolve application access issues as they arise. Members experiencing application access problems specific to their schools are encouraged to contact the CareerTech VP directly. However, the Board acknowledged that some applications cannot be approved if they do not meet IRMA standards; in such cases, the UFT will keep members informed about the approval timeline.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL COMMITTEES
The Board celebrated multiple community initiatives led by UFT professional committees. These activities reflect the union’s commitment to fostering inclusion, celebrating diverse cultures, and building community among members.
The African Heritage Committee hosted the UFT’s first African-American Day Parade participation on September 20, with approximately 35 members marching in the rain from 111th to 135th Street. The event was organized by co-chairs Zakiya Rock and Elaine Hainsworth, with support from Vice President Karen Alford. The turnout and enthusiasm demonstrated the committee’s impact on member engagement and cultural celebration. The Board emphasized the importance of such initiatives, particularly in a social and political climate that often discourages the celebration of cultural diversity and inclusion in educational settings.
The Italian-American Heritage Committee held a successful celebration at Cafe Palermo with high attendance, featuring food, beverages, and community celebration. A follow-up dinner event is planned for October 26 at Brooklyn Roots.
District 28 organized its fourth annual Back to School Bash at Cobblestones in Forest Hills on September 25, featuring district t-shirts, raffles, and teacher center staff to answer professional development questions.
The Asian Pacific American (Moon Festival) celebration attracted approximately 100 participants, offering 15 different activities, raffles, prizes, and high-quality catered food. The Board thanked committee coordinators Victoria, Jeff, Sandy, and Ting Lei Wang for their efforts.
An inaugural Divine Nine Heritage Celebration took place, celebrating the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities.
The Board encouraged all members, particularly chapter leaders, to participate in professional committee events, as these organizations play a vital role in building union community, fostering inclusion, and creating opportunities for member connection and cultural celebration.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ASSESSMENT UPDATES
The Board reported on a highly successful Member Observation Specialist Leadership (MOSL) training attended by over 800 teachers online. The training addressed significant changes to New York State’s student assessment system. The previous assessment (NISISLAT) has been replaced by the Weighted English Enrichment and Data Integrated System (WEEDIS), which will be used only for goal-setting purposes.
A critical update clarified that all state tests are evaluated using the school-wide growth model, not individual growth models. The Board emphasized that WEEDIS is a new assessment, and members should carefully consider whether to use it, recognizing that it remains optional for goal-setting purposes. Comprehensive notes and presentation materials have been posted to the UFT evaluation page for members seeking additional information.
The Board noted that ongoing individual chapter meetings and borough meetings will continue to address member questions and concerns regarding assessment, evaluation, and professional accountability systems.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND INITIATIVES
Several key initiatives and events were announced for the coming weeks:
Making Strides Against Cancer Walk: October 18 (Manhattan, Queens, Long Island) and October 25 (Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island). Members are encouraged to wear pink and participate in this community health initiative.
New Member Engagement in District 29: Over 70 new members participated in a meet-and-greet hosted by District 29 Representative Brana Quamina and Superintendent Dr. Robin Dawson on September 25, setting a strong foundation for new member engagement.
Capicu (Dominoes) Event: October 13 at the Bronx UFT. A celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month featuring domino tournaments, food, drinks, and prizes. Instruction will be provided for those unfamiliar with the game.
Contract Campaign Training and Survey: Training for chapter leaders, delegates, and district reps will occur October 7–8, with chapter teach-ins planned for October 29. The contract survey will run November 2–10, with a member information update deadline of October 16 on UFT.org.
Modern Day Classroom Expo: October 26, 8 a.m.–2:30 p.m., hosted in partnership with the DOE. This professional development event will feature hands-on learning with platforms and devices supporting today’s NYC classroom. Members are encouraged to attend and help fill the room.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s: November 14. Members are invited to participate in this effort to find a cure and support those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Golf Outing: October 12. This annual fundraiser benefits the UFT’s Disaster Relief Fund. Registration and donations are encouraged.
CLOSING REMARKS AND NEXT MEETING
The Board recognized and celebrated the service of Pat Crispino, who participated in her final Executive Board meeting. Ms. Crispino is retiring and joining the UFT Retirees Chapter. The Board expressed gratitude for her years of dedicated advocacy for union members and assured her that she remains a valued ally in future retirement and organizing efforts.
The Board also recognized Stuart Kaplan and other members for their participation in the Tunnel to Towers 5K run on September 28, despite a nor’easter weather system. Staten Island members coordinated a remote phone banking effort for State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, successfully making 5,000 calls.
The next Executive Board meeting is scheduled for October 5, 2026.