Voters Approve School Budgets Statewide

Thank you to all the WDEA and WEU members who voted in yesterday’s school budget elections.  NYSUT members make a difference every day, in every community in NY.

This is what democracy looks like. 

NYSUT estimate: Voters approve 96 percent of school budgets

NYSUT Media Relations – May 16, 2012 

 

ALBANY, N.Y. May 16, 2012 – Despite deep cuts to programs triggered by the first year of the state’s property tax cap, voters gave students and their local schools their strong backing by adopting 96 percent of school budgets, New York State United Teachers reported early today.

Based on its preliminary count, NYSUT estimated the statewide passage rate will be 96 percent. Voters approved 597 school budgets, with 24 budgets going down in defeat Tuesday. Of the approximately 50 school districts that exceeded the property tax cap, voters in 24 districts returned a 60 percent supermajority, passing those budgets despite tax levies greater than 2 percent. A final tabulation of this year’s school budget voting should be available by mid-afternoon.

READ MORE…….

Syracuse Rallies for Public Schools

Education Rally Brings Hundreds to Syracuse:

 

The Pro- Education Rally drew over 500 individuals to the NYS Office building in Syracuse on Friday afternoon.  Teachers, parents, students, and community members listened to a number of speakers who support public public education Pre-k to Post-grad.  The rally encouraged citizens to get out to vote on Tuesday May 15th, to end the arbitrary tax cap, and close corporate loopholes to help fund education.

See the video:

 

http://www.9wsyr.com/news/local/story/Education-rally-held-in-Syracuse/XoYjceHssESgjtM3Tv7OYg.cspx

 

Avoid Hitting “The Wall”

Marathon runners talk about hitting “the wall” just before the final leg of a race.  It’s the point in the race when, if you’re not careful, the glycogen levels in your muscles can become depleted and your body just shuts down. It usually hits you around mile 20-24.

Teachers have to avoid hitting “the wall” as well.  This year has been a marathon and, if you’re not careful, you can run out of steam with another 6 weeks to go.  Here are a few simple steps you can take to help you prevent burn-out, stay connected to your colleagues, and feel like you’re making a difference as we finish the final leg of the school year.

1. Connect with your colleagues, JOIN OUR TEAM!
Perspective is a powerful thing.  Staying connected with colleagues, and keeping the big picture in mind can help you stay focused.  The WDEA supports two important fund raisers that not only raise money for local charities, but also help teachers work as part of a team (and get a little exercise).  Please consider joining our Relay for Life team (June 8th) and/or our Corporate Challenge Team (June 19th).  Both teams are open to all members.  We need you to make our team a success!

Learn more by visiting the links below:

JOIN THE RELAY FOR LIFE TEAM

JOIN THE CORPORATE CHALLENGE TEAM

 

2. Stand up for what you believe in.
No one has a better understanding of teaching than you, the teachers that work every day to help kids reach their potential.  If we don’t stand up for public education, who will?  Please join us for a rally this Friday afternoon in support of public education in New York.  Bring your friends and family, wear your Westhill blue, and join us at 5PM in front of the State Office Building in Syracuse.  Learn more, and find a map to the event, by visiting our website:

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAY 11th RALLY

3. VOTE MAY 15th!

Your vote in support of public education in your community will make a difference, unless you stay home on May 15th.  Far too many of our members don’t bother to vote in local school budget elections.  We have over 650 in-service NYSUT members and retirees that live in the Westhill district alone.  4% of all registered voters in NY are NYSUT members.  Imagine how many live in your community.  If we all vote, we can guarantee the success of our schools in the coming year.

Not voting is not an option.  Pleas take the time to vote in next Tuesday’s election.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE MAY 15th BUDGET VOTE: CLICK HERE

Grassroots Ad Celebrates Public Ed.

Our “Congratulations NY” ad is up and running! Last week the ad (seen below) began running on YNN (ch10 cable news) and WSYR (ch 9 ABC).  The ad will run through May 15th, in anticipation of the school budget votes next week.  Look for the ad during the drive-time, noon, and evening news segments on those stations.

Last month the ad ran here in CNY for two weeks as well as in the Albany and Rochester markets.  The spot was originally produced by the Schoharie Teachers’ Assoc. (Albany district) and features students and graduates of the Schoharie schools.

Here in  CNY, we’ve raised over $13,000 in contributions to make this campaign possible.  Special thanks go out to everyone who contributed including member locals of the Oswego County and Onondaga County Teachers’ Associations.  Together we’re making a difference in Central New York.  Thank you.

 

RALLY MAY 11th

Join us for the CNY PRO-SCHOOLS RALLY.

Friday, May 11th, 5:00PM Outside the State Office Building at 333 E. Washington St. in downtown Syracuse.

As teachers, school workers, and education professionals, we’re in every community across the state, working every day to make our schools the very best they can be.  Please join us as we come together with our CNY colleagues to celebrate the power of public education and encourage families to VOTE YES for public schools on May 15th.

Together can make a difference in our community!

CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE MAPS

Make a difference, VOTE!

The number one thing you can do this month to make a difference for your community and in the lives of our students is VOTE!.  Local school elections (Boards of Ed. and budget votes) take place on May 15th.  Not voting is not an option.  Our schools face even greater cuts if our members stay home on May 15h.

Consider this:

• 29% of all NY registrants in the last voter registration drive were NYSUT members.
• 4% of all registered voters are NYSUT members.
• In the Westhill district alone, there are over 650 active or retired NYSUT members.
• If every one of those members voted for the school budget, we could guarantee a “Yes” vote on May 15th.

You can make a difference.  Please vote on May 15th.

Join Our Corporate Challenge Team

We are organizing a Westhill team of runners and walkers for the Chase Corporate Challenge on June 19 at Onondaga Lake Park (start time, 6:25 pm).  This team-building exercise is for all members of our school district: faculty, administration and staff are invited to sign up for fun, food and drinks (oh and exercise).  We had a blast last year!

 

Directions:
                         1) Log on to JPMorganchasecc.com
                         2) See “Schedule and Registration” (on left)
                         3) Click on “Syracuse”
                         4) Under “Company home pages”  (on left)

                             you’ll find:
                         5) Westhill —click on

                         6) Go to “Register for this company”

 

Quicklink is here: Westhill School District CC Page

 

New this year! Chase is offering a “Scholastic Challenge” within the event. . .  if our school district has the highest increase in percentage of entrants over last year, we will earn a $1000.00 donation from JPMorgan Chase!!!  There will be a pair of $1000.00 awards this year, one each for designated large and small school districts (West Genesee CSD  and Lyncourt Schools won last year).  As always, the JP Morgan Chase Foundation, on behalf of the Corporated Challenge, will donate to a local not-for-profit organization.  Deadline for registration is Monday June 4. 

 

Please go to the website—contact Maggie Feyerabend (ex. 3435) if you have any questions.