Begin forwarded message:
From: NYSUT Leader Briefing <leader@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: February 5, 2021 at 3:16:40 PM EST
To: Leader <crinum@xxxxxxxx>
Subject: Push for state-funded COVID testing
Reply-To: NYSUT Leader Briefing <webmaster@xxxxxxxxx>
Feb. 5
Union calls for state-funded COVID testing for schools
Last week NYSUT’s Board adopted a resolution stating the union will continue
to advocate for robust science-based safety guidelines and re-opening metrics
from the State that include State-funded preventive surveillance testing of
students and staff in all communities to identify those infected with the
virus but asymptomatic.
For local leaders, here are expanded talking points (leader login required)
on school reopening issues.
Public higher ed has suffered too long: NYSUT
In legislative budget testimony this week, President Andy Pallotta testified
that public colleges and universities have reeled from years of austerity
budgets, in turn placing additional financial strain on the backs of
students. With UUP President Fred Kowal and PSC President Barbara Bowen,
Pallotta said the executive budget again holds SUNY’s and CUNY’s
instructional core budgets flat; if the state does not receive sufficient
federal funding, significant cuts are on the horizon. Here’s the full
testimony from NYSUT, UUP and PSC.
NYSUT continues to advocate for a two-pronged approach that includes both
fair funding from Washington and new state taxes on the ultrawealthy to help
fund critical public services like higher education.
Embracing diversity
NYSUT’s “Many Threads, One Fabric” town hall series continued this week with
a virtual conversation on “Embracing Racial and Cultural Diversity” with
author Juana Bordas, recipient of the International Leadership Association’s
Lifetime Achievement Award.
More news
Good news! The IRS just announced that eligible educators can deduct
unreimbursed expenses for COVID-19 protective items to stop the spread of
COVID-19 in the classroom under the $250 educators’ expense tax deduction.
And don’t forget, if you itemize, you can deduct union dues from New York
state taxable income.
Today is the deadline to take a quick SED survey on NYSUT-backed state plans
to seek a federal waiver of grades 3-8 and high school testing requirements.
NYSUT’s online “Shared Success” page highlights members’ good work. Send us
your story tips!
NYSUT members and leaders are telling their stories in video testimonials as
part of our Black History Month celebration. More to come. Get a free NYSUT
Black History Month poster, featuring voting rights activist Stacey Abrams.
Find Black History lesson plans here.
Sign up online for upcoming free student debt webinars from NYSUT.
Looking for tips on hybrid/remote instruction? We’ve posted videos of ELT’s
popular two-part webinar series.
Check out the online Education & Learning Trust catalog for the spring
semester.
Do yourself a favor and explore the new NYSUT Member Benefits Financial
Learning Center on the Member Benefits website.
Educator’s Voice, NYSUT’s professional journal, has re-issued its call for
article proposals for the 2022 edition. The focus is on Leveraging Student
Strengths through Project-Based Learning and Authentic Assessment. Deadline
is April 1.
Just for leaders
The NYSUT Board of Directors last week approved plans for a virtual
Representative Assembly and Local and Retiree Council Presidents Conference
during the last week of April and concluding May 1. More information is
available at nysut.org/rapresidents. (Local president login required.)
The 2021 nomination, campaign and elections procedures for the NYSUT
Representative Assembly are in the January edition of NYSUT United and posted
online.
Does your association have an expense reimbursement policy in place for union
related travel and expenses? You should. NYSUT Accounting offers this sample
reimbursement policy for you to model locally. Here also is a sample expense
voucher for union expenses incurred on behalf of your local.
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