ALBANY N.Y. March 11, 2009 - New York State United Teachers President Richard C. Iannuzzi today praised Robert M. Bennett for his service as chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, in the wake of the announcement that Bennett will be stepping down from the leadership post.
"NYSUT thanks Chancellor Bennett for his dedicated leadership and years of service to students, parents and educators across New York state," Iannuzzi said. "Chancellor Bennett shares NYSUT's unwavering commitment to high academic standards and to ending the achievement gap for students in poverty. As chancellor, he kept a clear focus on helping our students reach ever higher levels of achievement that will prepare them to succeed in a competitive global environment."
NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira, who joined Iannuzzi in thanking Chancellor Bennett for his seven years of leadership at the helm of the state's policy-making education body, said the union looks forward to working closely with him as he continues his service as a member of the Regents Board. "We value his commitment, his dedication and his expertise."
NYSUT, the state's largest union, represents some 600,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; faculty and other professionals at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York, and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.