Twenty-Two Teachers’ Unions Support Call for Education Commissioners Resignation

For Immediate Release:  November 3, 2013
More information contact:
Lisa Rudley (917) 414-9190; nys.allies@gmail.com

An overwhelming consensus continues to build among New York parents and educators regarding the recent failures of State Education Commissioner John King, the department he oversees, and the education reform agenda he has rushed to implement in recent years. This week, twenty two local teachers’ unions formally expressed support for New York State Allies for Public
Education in its call for the resignation of the state’s top education official.

Backing for NYSAPE’s position on King’s resignation has come from organizations across the Empire State: from Long Island to the North Country, from Western New York to the MidHudson, and from Central New York to the Capital Region. In addition, one of the state’s largest teachers’ unions, the Buffalo Teachers Federation, has independently called on King to step down.

The organizations listed below support New York State Allies for Public Education in their call for the resignation of New York State Education Department Commissioner Dr. John B. King Jr. Commissioner King’s actions during a recent NYS PTA town hall meeting in Poughkeepsie mirrored his established pattern of ignoring the concerns of parents and educators. The cancellation of the future
town hall meetings shows a lack of leadership from Commissioner King.

In reaction to Commissioner King’s recent comment about a consensus around the nation on education policy , NYSAPE cofounder Lisa Rudley replied “The only consensus around the state is that New Yorkers are demanding King resigns and that there be substantial changes to the direction of education policy.”

Parents and educators have no confidence in the New York State Education Department’s policies and administration. Across the state, New Yorkers are justifiably worried about an increase in mandated standardized testing, the haphazard implementation of the Common Core Standards and the prospect of their children’s confidential data being shared and compromised. King’s recent failures, and his dismissive attitude towards the expanding concerns throughout the state, have called into serious question his ability to lead the school districts of New York. 

“Commissioner King has consistently shown a lack of interest in listening to parents and educators across the state. Despite the overwhelming sentiment of anxiety about issues such as excessive testing, the Common Core, and unfair teacher evaluations coming from folks across the entire state, he refuses to acknowledge any of our concerns. To blame the failure of his first round of
public forums on ‘special interest’ groups shows just how out of touch King is with his constituents. Our special interests are our children, and we need someone in charge who puts their best interests in the foreground.” stated Danielle Boudet, cofounder of NYSAPE.

New York State Allies for Public Education represents forty-five grassroots parent groups from every corner of the Empire State. The
organizations listed below are proud to stand with the parents, community members and fellow educators in NYSAPE to call for a change in direction and policy beginning with new leadership at the New York State Education Department.

West Hill District Education Association
Fredonia Teachers’ Association
North Salem Teachers’ Association
Penfield Education Association
Tupper Lake United Teachers
Lake Placid Education Association
Saranac Lake Teachers’ Association
Mahopac Teachers’ Association
Harrison Association of Teachers
Bellmore Merrick United Secondary Teachers
North Babylon Teachers’ Organization
Schoharie Teachers’ Association
East Williston Teachers’ Association
Lancaster Central Teachers’ Association
Schoharie Central Employees Association
Mohonasen Teachers’ Association
Port Jefferson Station Teachers’ Association
Spencerport Teachers’ Association
Northern Adirondack Teachers’ Association
Valhalla Teachers’ Association
Berne Knox Westerlo Teachers’ Association
Ogdensburg Education Association