While supporting the concept, NYSUT is carefully monitoring the development of legislation that would immediately revoke the certification of an educator convicted of serious sexual misconduct crimes.

As New York Teacher went to press, NYSUT legislative representatives were working with the State Education Department and the leaders of the Assembly and Senate education committees to ensure that any new legislation would preserve due-process rights.

The proposed legislation calls for revoking a teacher's certification only after a criminal conviction or guilty plea.

NYSUT is pushing to make sure that if the criminal conviction is overturned, certification would be restored and the employee would be reinstated with full back pay and benefits from the date of suspension.

NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin noted that the union's first priority is to ensure students' safety, while ensuring that an accused person has due-process rights.

He warned of the possibility of mistaken identity, such as an educator who has the same name as a convicted person.

Lubin said the union wants to make sure any new law would allow for an expedited due-process hearing for that claim to be adjudicated by an arbitrator.

Senate Education Committee Chairman Stephen Saland, a Poughkeepsie Republican, held a news conference to drum up support for approving the bill before the Legislature adjourns in June. He said the current hearing process can cost taxpayers $150,000 per case, even after an educator is convicted of a crime.

Assembly Education Committee Chairwoman Cathy Nolan, D-Queens, has filed a proposed bill that is similar to one sought by State Education Department Commissioner Richard Mills and the Regents.

 - Sylvia Saunders