ALBANY, N.Y. May 14, 2014 - New York State United Teachers today launched a statewide, $200,000 radio ad campaign to urge New Yorkers to vote "Yes" on their local school budgets on Tuesday, May 20.
The 60-second ad - called "Large and Small" - reminds New Yorkers that public schools in all corners of the state are still recovering from devastating budget cuts. The radio spots point out that Tuesday's school budget votes are an opportunity for parents and educators to "stand together" in support of students and a quality public education system.
The ad features NYSUT President Karen E. Magee, who speaks as a public school teacher, parent and newly elected president of the 600,000-member union. "These are tough times for teachers. And just as tough for parents and students," Magee says. "We're all being pressed to do even more and reach even higher. Yet, schools are still feeling the effects of cuts and caps, and our kids are paying the price with overcrowded classrooms, fewer programs and layoffs. On May 20, we can begin to turn that around - by voting 'yes' on local school budgets that support public schools. Together, we can give our teachers - and our kids - the resources they need to succeed." Magee concludes, "Your voice and your vote matter."
NYSUT Executive Vice President Andrew Pallotta noted that despite an overall school aid increase of $1.1 billion, school districts are still cutting programs, teachers and support staff to comply with the state's overly-restrictive tax cap.
"The tax cap looms over every decision, and continues to rob citizens of local control of their schools," Pallotta said. "Even worse, the undemocratic 60 percent supermajority continues to violate the principle of one-person, one-vote by diminishing the value of votes in support of what our public schools need. It's wrong and we will continue to press the Legislature and governor to change it."
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.
"Large and Small" – NYSUT - 60 second radio
From Syracuse to Suffolk County.
From Westchester to Western New York.
From the Capital Region to the Catskills.
Public school parents and teachers stand together for our kids. I see it, first hand, as I visit school districts – large and small – all across the state.
I'm Karen Magee. A public school teacher, parent and newly-elected President of New York State United Teachers.
These are tough times for teachers. And just as tough for parents and students. We're all being pressed to do even more and reach even higher. Yet, schools are still feeling the effects of cuts and caps, and our kids are paying the price with overcrowded classrooms, fewer programs and teacher layoffs.
On May 20, we can begin to turn that around. By voting YES on local school budgets that support public schools. Together, we can give our teachers - and our kids - the resources they need to succeed.
On May 20, vote YES. Because your voice an