Local Leaders Pledge To Fight Teacher Layoffs

Local leaders say there is reason to be hopeful that the teacher layoffs currently on the table for the city can be avoided or at least reduced when the state and city budgets are finalized later this year.

Currently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget cuts billions of dollars in education aid in New York City.

The result, as evidenced by Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s most recent budget proposal, is a reduction of teacher staff across the city, with F

City Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz, D-Forest Hills, said the loss of so many teachers would be unacceptable.

“"The last time the city laid off teachers was over 30 years ago. Just as in 1975, laying off teachers will have a devastating effect on the lives of students,” Koslowitz said. “As we make tough choices, we can't do it off the backs of our kids. I am firmly opposed to teacher layoffs and will work with my colleagues in the council and in state government to do everything we can to see that this absurd proposal never comes to fruition.”

Other local leaders, including Community Board 6 District Manager Frank Gulluscio, said the loss of teachers — especially the 35 percent reduction in staff at the Metropolitan Educational Campus — would prove detrimental to the educational environment.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, D-South Ozone Park, said he was also concerned about the loss of teachers in the city, but voted against a recent measure in the state Senate that sought to change the “last-in, first-out” layoff rules that the state currently has in place. The measure passed the Senate and has been moved back to the state Assembly.

“Our children deserve the best educational environment possible and that includes teachers. Credible teachers should not have to be concerned about being laid off simply because they were recently hired and seniority should be considered when making those decisions,” Addabbo said. “Unfortunately, neither the current LIFO process nor Senate bill S.3501B resolve the issue of teacher layoffs.  That is why I did not support S.3501B and will continue to work on addressing this important issue.”

Addabbo also said he was “optimistic that at the conclusion and ratification of a state and a city budget, teacher layoffs can be avoided for the sake of our children.”