Public Retirement System Membership for 853 School Employees
Level of Government: State
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As a constituent, a taxpayer and a member of the New York State United Teachers, I request your support for the passage of legislation affording employees in 853 schools the opportunity to access membership in a public retirement plan (S.6181 by Senator Leibell/A.8479 by Assemblymember John).
The teachers and paraprofessional staff employed by 853 schools in New York State are at a breaking point. These teachers and paraprofessional staff, who provide vitally important services and instruction to New York's most vulnerable and needy public school students, have lower salaries and inferior retirement benefits than their counterparts at conventional public schools. These disparities have resulted in the inability of the 853 schools to retain their experienced professional staffs.
The 853 schools were established to provide intensive and individualized educational services for those public school students whose severe disabilities could not be effectively addressed in the conventional public school system. These schools, which are almost exclusively funded with public monies, perform all of the public educational functions mandated by state and federal law, rules and regulations. And, aside from access to reasonable salaries, retirement and other benefits, the 853 schoolteachers and paraprofessionals are subject to the same regulations, curriculum, graduation, and teacher certification requirements that govern conventional public schools and their staffs.
This legislation recognizes the public service rendered by all 853 school staff and provides them with access to a public retirement plan. This legislation provides an additional tool for the 853 schools to attract and retain the qualified teachers and paraprofessional staff necessary to maintain the continuity of services and instruction for the neediest children in New York's public schools. This legislation also provides that 853 school staff shall be afforded all of the rights, benefits and privileges afforded to all other public employees.
I urge you to enact this important legislation during the 2008 Legislative Session.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Your Name Here
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Bill Status Date: 5/12/2008
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