ALBANY, N.Y. Dec. 28, 2016 — New York State United Teachers, the union representing more than 600,000 educators and health care professionals across New York State, is urging State Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia to remove Carl Paladino from the Buffalo Board of Education, saying his dangerous and despicable comments about the president and first lady prove he is unfit to serve.
"We stand with parents and concerned citizens across New York State in calling upon the state education commissioner to immediately remove Carl Paladino from the Buffalo school board," said NYSUT President Karen E. Magee. "His racist rants are despicable. He is unfit to hold a position of responsibility affecting students and their well-being. As educators, we are dedicated to ensuring our students learn in classrooms and on campuses where the values of respect and civility are paramount. We condemn this disgusting, racist behavior and call for Carl Paladino's removal."
Speaking on behalf of all of the NYSUT officers, Magee noted that Paladino's latest diatribe is part of a long-standing pattern of offensive commentary from the Buffalo board member and failed gubernatorial candidate. "Students, parents and educators in Buffalo have borne the brunt of his demeaning and unacceptable behavior for far too long. We stand with them in saying, `Enough is enough,'" Magee said.
NYSUT members will reinforce the call for Paladino's ouster at a Buffalo protest rally organized by the Buffalo Parent-Teachers Organization set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Niagara Square. The Buffalo school board has scheduled a special meeting on Thursday expressly convened to discuss "board member conduct."
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.