Every March, we expect to hear that old cliché about the month "coming in like a lion and going out like a lamb" — or the other way around.

In Albany, the legislative lion seems to roar loudly the entire month of March as the budget debate continues and state priorities are set, all with an eye toward April 1, the start of New York's new fiscal year.

Part of NYSUT's challenge in these waning weeks is to make sure lawmakers and the public are not lulled into a false sense of security by the recently enacted American Recovery and Reinvestment Act — the stimulus package.

To be sure, New York's share of the stimulus funds goes a long way to offsetting some of the devastation that would have occurred under the Executive Budget proposal.

But, even with the extra federal money, the state still faces a $1.8 billion gap from what was promised to our public schools. That leaves an estimated $1 billion shortfall necessary to sustain essential programs.

These budget deficiencies, the critical need for restorations to higher education and health care, and the fact that the stimulus funding is temporary underscore why NYSUT and other like-minded organizations continue to press for a plan that would increase personal income taxes on the very wealthiest taxpayers, thus providing a more stable revenue stream going forward.

NYSUT's legislative staff, plus the scores of volunteer lobbyists who are at the Capitol each week, are making the case to lawmakers and aides that failing to keep promises that were made to educators and other working women and men in recent years would be detrimental to New York's economic well-being.

They shape that message by telling their stories — putting a face on statistics and budget figures, talking about the students they teach and the programs and services they provide that help our schools succeed. A consensus is building around a handful of issues that most of us agree must be favorably resolved before the 2009-10 budget is complete.

They include restoring the "zeroed out" teacher center funds, adequate support for the state's 37 BOCES, restoring to full funding SUNY's hospitals and health centers, and rebuilding our higher education system at every level: community colleges, CUNY and SUNY, as well as our private institutions of higher learning.

Still not on board

Despite all we hear about the positive impact the stimulus dollars will have on the state's budget, and consequently school district budgets, too many school boards are still promulgating unrealistic doomsday budgets.

This has to leave you wondering whether some school boards are looking to take advantage of the economic crisis for a narrow-minded, not-so-hidden agenda.

Their state association offers no help by asking, "What about two years from now?" instead of joining those who are rolling up their sleeves to create the innovation that will get us to a better place not only two years from now, but as soon as possible — and for as long as possible into the future.

Although I want to be careful not to paint with too broad a brush, isn't it time school boards — and the New York State School Boards Association — become part of the solution instead of spending an overabundance of time "taking a long sobering look at our shortcomings" as the NYSSBA journal, On Board, suggests?

Instead of trying to undermine NYSUT's democratic process by calling for the defeat of a thoughtful resolution on value-added accountability that our delegates will debate thoroughly at our upcoming RA, perhaps they need to join those who are working collaboratively pointing to the future. Perhaps it's time they got — on board.

Obama's vision

It came as no surprise when President Obama made clear his administration's goal: "to ensure that every child has access to a complete and competitive education — from the day they are born to the day they enter a career."

What also came as no surprise were the talking heads who tried desperately to turn the president's remarks into a battleground pitting teacher unions against administration.

The president called for a significant investment in the years prior to kindergarten where research shows so much of what influences educational outcomes is formulated, noting that an investment here could save billions later on.

The president also called for "a race to the top" and the setting of world-class standards from kindergarten through high school graduation.

And, finally, he called for opening the doors to higher education and the promise of college for more of America's students, preparing them for the economy of the future.

What's not to like?

Both the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association embraced the president's vision. NYSUT, a member of both national teacher unions, has been a consistent advocate for early childhood and pre-school education, higher standards and expansion of opportunities in higher education.

Yes, the president spoke too about innovative ways to reward teacher excellence and not reward failure, charter schools that work, holding teachers more accountable, more time in the classroom, and promoting innovation and excellence. Subjects our critics consider taboo for teacher unions.

They're wrong

Teachers and their unions have been speaking about the same things as the president. The difference now is that someone is talking with us — not at us. The president and his education secretary, Arne Duncan, are inviting us to the table — not pushing us away as had been the bullying tactics of the past eight years.

Under the leadership of Albert Shanker, the AFT was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the standards movement, peer review, experimental charter schools, and National Board Certification for teachers who wanted to measure their skills against a very high bar.

These and other reforms led by teacher unions are now well-established in the educational infrastructure.

Under current President Randi Weingarten's leadership, the AFT has launched a $1 million innovation fund.

Joined by significant dollars from some of the nation's premier foundations, the fund is designed to implement sustainable, innovative, and collaborative reform efforts developed by AFT members

Right now, four NYSUT local unions — in Dunkirk, Utica, Fredonia, and Newburgh — are taking part in a pilot program funded by NEA and administered by NYSUT to develop "learning communities" that focus on ending the achievement gap through innovation and creativity and, most importantly, teacher collaboration and leadership.

The president defined the current debates in education as "more money vs. more reform … partisanship and petty bickering, but little recognition that we need to move beyond the worn fights of the 20th century if we are going to succeed in the 21st century."

Teacher unions have moved and, with a seat at the table, are prepared to move further. Isn't it time our critics leave the trenches and join us?