Tag: de Blasio

De Blasio, Weingarten, Magee, Mulgrew: 4 Biggest Reasons for Cuomo Victory

I have a lot of thoughts to share on the role of our unions in yesterday’s Cuomo victory in the Democratic primary.  Within the next day or two, when I have the time to sit down and get those thoughts on paper I will share them.  In the meantime our friend Reality-Based Educator who blogs over at Perdido Street School absolutely hit the nail on the head in his piece today.

Via Perdido Street School…

The only group of people who did more work than de Blasio to help Cuomo and his bank lobbyist running mate win the primary?

The UFT/AFT/NYSUT leaders:

1) who engineered a putsch at NYSUT to make sure the old leaders who had turned on Cuomo were ousted

2) who threatened the Working Families Party with dissolution if WFP gave their ballot slot to Zephyr Teachout

3) who refused to endorse Teachout in the primary and provide much needed cash and support for the Teachout/Wu campaign (as PEF did) and

4) who made robocalls for the campaign.

De Blasio, Weingarten, Magee, Mulgrew – four reasons why Andrew Cuomo will win re-election this year handily in the general election and his bank lobbyist running mate will ride along with him into power.

Head on over and read the entire thing.  There are some good quotes from Tim Wu as well on the role that De Blasio played.

Election Day Roundup

Election Day roundup…

PJSTA endorsed John McManmon lost in his race in the 2nd Assembly District.  Given his stance on public education, here is hoping that Mr. McManmon runs for state legislature again.  Like maybe next year when his opponent, Anthony Palumbo will be up for re-election in the Assembly.  Also when noted enemy of public education, Ken LaValle, is up for re-election in the State Senate.  Next year is a very important year for us and the PJSTA will be working dilligently to get the right people elected.

Running as a progressive, Bill de Blasio won the mayoral race in New York City.  He will take over for the plutocrat Michael Bloomberg who wielded his power and money to do great harm to NYC’s public schools over the course of his twelve year reign.  Still, over at Peridio Street School, Reality-Based Educator warns, “Don’t get too excited.”

Chris Christie won re-election last night.  This after last week’s incident featuring Christie yelling at a teacher, saying, “I am tired of you people.”  When asked by the teacher why he continues to spread the myth than New Jersey’s schools and teachers are failing (sounds like Andy Cuomo, right?).

Bully Chris Christie yelling at a teacher.

 

KYE: Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch

Know Your Enemies: Merryl Tisch

Merryl Tisch Loves Charter Schools!

For those not paying attention, New York City Mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio has gone on record as saying that he would place a moratorium on co-locating charter schools in New York City.  Co-location is when a public school has to give up parts of it’s own building so that a charter school can have that space to operate in.  It has become a major problem for New York City public schools.  Additionally de Blasio has said that he would charge those charter schools rent for operating in public school buildings.

None of this sits well with New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, who thinks the public dislikes teachers.  Tisch, whose family is connected to charter schools and for profit education companies, blasted de Blasio over his position on charter schools.

“Anything that you do that makes it prohibitive for charter schools to grow and thrive in New York City is not a great way to proceed,” Tisch said. “I’m sure charter school operators are paying attention to campaign rhetoric.”

She added: “I want New York to be a place where charter schools grow and thrive. Charter schools are public schools. Charter schools have been a valuable alternative to failing schools. They’ve been a valuable part of rebuilding public schools.”

Somebody should remind Merryl Tisch that charter schools are not public schools.  Just because they siphon money away from public schools does not make them public schools.    Public schools don’t get to shut down to hold rallies.   Public schools don’t get to fire entire grades of children.

Know Your Enemies ladies and gentlemen… Merryl Tisch, New York State Board of Regents Chancellor.

de Blasio Trouble for Cuomo?

The New York Post made me smile this morning (didn’t think I’d ever utter those words together) with this article, claiming that if elected mayor Bill de Blasio is going to be a problem for our God awful governor.  Particularly appealing is the supposed stance de Blasio will take against charter schools.  Color me skeptical, given the fact that every politician of prominence tends to cave to school deformers like Cuomo.  Still it’s nice to dream.