UFT Executive Board Notes - May 18, 2026
TRS Election, UFT Elects Khiera Pena as New Assistant Secretary, Arbitration Victory, LIRR Strike, District Reports,
MEETING CALLED TO ORDER
No open mic speakers present
Meeting proceeded to approval of minutes
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Executive Board Minutes (May 4)
Motion: Approved unanimously
Vote: All in favor
ADCOM Minutes (May 8)
Motion: Approved unanimously
Vote: All in favor
Note: Contains two resolutions to be considered for AFT Convention (addressed later in meeting)
ADCOM Minutes (May 15)
Motion: Approved unanimously
Vote: All in favor
STAFF DIRECTOR’S REPORT
TRS Election
Michael Sill all participants in recent TRS Election and noted DOE made process difficult but expected high turnout relative to previous years
Acknowledged efforts of members and organizers citywide
Thanked all members and attendees of this past Saturday’s Spring Conference
Upcoming Events
QUESTION PERIOD
Question 1: TRS Election Process (Faiza Khalid, Executive Board)
Issue: Inconsistent election administration across schools
Some principals and CLs took over the election process and yet some other schools were unable to vote
Can process be streamlined? And for schools that haven’t held elections, is it too late?
Response:
Elections are now closed for this cycle, DOE controls election process, not UFT
UFT requested guidance for months; DOE only provided administrative code language one week before the election
To streamline future elections, changes to administrative code would be necessary
Question 2: Long Island Railroad Strike Impact (Faiza Khalid)
Issue: Members commuting from Long Island affected by LIRR strike
Questions Asked:
Do members qualify for extraordinary transportation delay, can they work remotely? Will they be reimbursed for Ubers?
Response:
Remote work is not an option, members who were late or unable to work should fill out OP-201 form
School-level approval available for up to 3 hours of absence/lateness
Extraordinary transit delay approval beyond 3 hours requires superintendent approval
Contractual language exists but doesn’t cover every scenario; grievance process available for individual cases
Extraordinary transportation delay can apply to those driving as well as using transit
More success likely with lateness claims than full absence claims
Follow-up: Traffic Delays from LIRR Strike
Question: Does extraordinary transportation delay include those driving due to increased traffic?
Response:
Extraordinary circumstances might include disabled shuttle buses on highways
Each case evaluated individually through grievance process
Terminology: “Extraordinary transportation delay” (not just transit)
REPORTS FROM DISTRICTS
District 16 (Camille Eaddy, At Large)
Hiring Fair: Over 150 attendees in one of smallest districts in the city
Online Recruitment: Members can now view positions online/social media before applying
Upcoming:10-year celebration
Tenure Achievement:65 teachers and other titles receiving tenure (record for district)
UFT Family Day (Dashauna Barker, Executive Board At Large)
Date: Saturday, June 6, over 2,000 people signed up; space still available
Volunteers Needed: For Session 1 or Session 2
Fundraising:$15 per family
Beneficiary: UFT Disaster Relief Fund
Note: Many members unaware UFT has disaster relief fund; helps members in emergencies (fires, floods, international disasters like Jamaica)
Alternative: Can register to donate if unable to attend
James Madison High School Recognition (Charles DiBenedetto, Executive Board)
Date: May 12, noon
Hero: Nicholas Pozzoni (member, James Madison High School)
Action: Performed CPR and used a defibrillator on a collapsed colleague experiencing cardiac arrest on the athletic field saving member’s life.
Juneteenth Walk (Rashad Brown, Executive Board At Large & Professional Committees)
Date: June 19
Meeting Point: Archie Spigner Park, Queens
Location: Addisleigh Park Historic District, Queens
Additional Events (Rashad Brown)
Springboard Show (UFT Players): June 11
What Are You Reading (ELA Committee): June 3 (Virtual)
Asian American Heritage Annual Banquet & Raffle: Friday (hosted by the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee )
World AIDS Day Walk Report (Rashad Brown)
Date: Previous day (May 18)
Attendance: Largest UFT turnout to date - 27 UFT members
Funds Raised (So Far):$7,711 (largest donation to date)
Top Donor: Joshua Houston (District 4) - $250
Top Fundraiser: Karen Miller (District 4, 3rd consecutive year) - $3,145 alone
Note: Donations still being collected
Arbitration Win - Verola Case (Khiera Pena, UFT Grievance Department, on behalf of Mark Collins)
Case Details:
Type: Et-al grievance concerning three senior paraprofessionals
Issue:Procession offered without posting; offered to less senior members
Decision: Arbitrator sustained grievance
Remedy:Retroactive pay awarded to grievant’s; retroactively staffed to per session position
Key Point: Arbitrator upheld that Article 8 clearly requires seniority-based selection
Special Recognition:
John Kamps (Para Chapter; Grievance Department) - testified credibly about posting requirements, selection process, and economic importance of per session (pensionable)
Advocates: Matt Faglino and Nancy Aglioloro
Queens UFT Wellness Series (Tracy Ivanic & Brian Moyer, Elementary Schools Executive Board)
Workshop: Journaling workshop held Thursday
Attendance: Over 60 members
Benefits: Reduces stress/anxiety, improves emotional regulation, enhances self-awareness
District 28 Educator Celebration (Tracy Ivanic & Brian Moyer)
Date: May 29, 3:30 PM
Location: Queens UFT office
Purpose: Celebrate graduates of the district’s new teacher institute and newly tenured educators
Parent Leadership Series (Elizabeth Perez, Executive Board At Large)
Format: Three consecutive Saturdays
Attendance: Approximately 80 parents
Purpose: Parent engagement and allyship
In Memoriam: Annie de la Cruz (Elizabeth Espert, Executive Board At Large)
Name: Annie De La Cruz, Art teacher, PS 115, District 6
Service:20-27 years as phenomenal teacher
Union Involvement: Passionate, engaged member; attended phone banks, union events; bus captain at last Tier 6 rally
Circumstances: Fire occurred couple weeks prior; suffered extensive injuries; lost son in fire; passed away this past weekend. Executive Board observed Moment in Ms.De La Cruz’s memory
Transfer Schools & District 79 and Transfer Schools Hiring Fair (Pat Crispino, Executive Board)
Date: June 3, 4:00-6:30 PM, Cascades High School
Contact: pcrispino@uft.orgfor flyers
Brooklyn End-of-Year Procedure Training (Nancy Aramondo, Executive Board At Large)
Format: Zoom
Date: Last Thursday
Attendance: Over 200 chapter leaders
Academic High School Awards (Wanda Linares, High School Division)
Date: May 15
Attendance: Over 350 people
Atmosphere: Full of positive energy and fun
Sheryl Pender, Functional Chapter Leader of Secretaries, Executive Board At Large)
Staten Island Secretary Meet and Greet: Wednesday, May 20
Secretary Soiree : June 5
Purpose: Celebrate fabulous secretaries
Asian American Heritage Committee Dinner & Raffle (Seung Lee, Executive Board At Large)
Date: Friday
Purpose: Dinner and raffle
Honorees: Leroy Barr and Virginia Ng (longtime supporters of Asian American Heritage Committee and professional committees)
LIRR Strike Support (Seung Lee & Vinny)
Strike involved Long Island Railroad Workers, Engineers, IBEW, VLET, and others
Seung attended the LIRR strike at 2 Broadway during lunch hour; saw UFT members providing support (water, Gatorade, etc.). Grateful to members who showed solidarity with striking workers
Pride Month Fundraiser - Trevor Project (Adam Shapiro, Executive Board At Large)
Trevor Project (24/7 suicide prevention and crisis intervention for LGBTQ+ youth), initiated by District 21 peers
Rationale: Address learning/working environments for LGBTQ+ community members in schools
Response: Felt this is exactly why action is needed; kids hurting due to lack of welcome in schools/homes. Fundraiser will be posted on District 21 social media
Suicide rate among gay teens is highest; kids kicked out of homes; UFT schools welcome pride kids and don’t discriminate
AI Ambassador Showcase (Dr. Terrain Reeves, High School Executive Board)
Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
Location: Hall des Lumiere
Participants: Educators and UFT full-time employees showcasing AI work
Youth Summit - “Good Vibes Only” (Karen Alford, Vice President Elementary Schools, Executive Board Elementary Division)
Participants:200 middle and high school students participated with teachers and social workers at UFT Headquarters
Workshops included human trafficking, substance abuse, pride community
Significant Finding: Two students self-identified as caught up in human trafficking
Support:Social workers on hand; Buddha booths on two floors
Created space for young people to make sense of themselves and the world
AFT CONVENTION RESOLUTIONS
Action Item
Motion: Send two resolutions from ADCOM Minutes (May 8) to AFT Convention
Vote: All in favor and these will be sent to AFT for consideration at July convention
ELECTION: UFT ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Khiera Pena, nominated by Karen Alford, Vice President Elementary Schools and Janella Hinds, Academic High School Vice President
Former teacher at PS 114, Bronx (District 9)
Former chapter leader
PM Staffer, Pension Department (5 years)
PM Staffer, Grievance Department
Full-time Special Representative, Grievance Department (almost 12 years)
Arbitration training completed
Experienced negotiator; negotiated contracts with Federation of Nurses
Board Trustee, Amber Charter School
Mother
Qualities Highlighted:
Works in all facets of UFT
Brilliant
Teacher at heart
Fighter
Quick on feet
Excellent communicator
Well-suited for current moment
Additional Speakers in Support:
Deshauna Barker (Executive Board At Large) when Deshauna was chapter leader at Q-283 Preparatory Academy for Writers. Brought relief to gym teachers with 150 students in class. Worked together on Black History Film Series committee. Attended arbitration training with Khiera. Well-spoken; has both official and unofficial meetings with Khiera. Colleague and friend. Reference to “flower garden blooming” (Power Rising Conference, Chicago)
Rashad Brown(Executive Board At Large) Started as chapter leaders together. Leads with purpose. Takes time to listen.
Crystal Richburg (Grievance Department Colleague) One of the most motivating forces for newer reps. Trained Crystal during arbitration training. Serves every UFT member (teachers, nurses, DOE, non-DOE). Knows contracts. Fights for members. Ensures rights are respected and that every member has value. Fiercest advocate members will have
Mavis Yon (Elementary Board) Met Khiera during debate: “May the works you have done speak for you.” Good person, knowledgeable. “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” (positive meaning - fighter). Smiles and beautiful but fierce when needed
James Vasquez (Queens High School Executive Board, District Rep)Worked with Khiera for many years on class size grievances. Spent hours with her on oversized class cases. Always professional, great force. Present at APPR complaints. Grateful for her support
Aqeel Williams (District 9 Rep) Worked with Khiera in Grievance Department for two years. Most helpful and accommodating. Finest work in grievance department “Class-size maven” Wonderful pleasure and joy to have around.
Election Result
Vote:One vote cast in favor (by Michael Sill, Secretary)
Status: Kiera Pena elected as UFT Assistant Secretary
Khiera is now a member of Executive Board
Acceptance Remarks (Kiera Pena)
Emotional week (lost family member)
Overwhelmed by kind words
Grievance Department not used to receiving praise
Usually people say nice things after you’re dead
Grateful for trust in this role
Will support: Secretary, President, and most importantly, members
Promise: Won’t disappoint
Commitment: Support teachers, therapists, nurses, counselors, parents
Closing Remarks Proud to preside over this moment
Congratulations to Kiera, who he knows will make mark on organization from new position
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Meetings
Next Executive Board:June 1, 2026
Delegate Assembly:Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn approved
Meeting adjourned