But schools are different from many city functions in that they have a large impact on only a small fraction of the population. Not many people think primarily about school issues when they cast their vote for mayor, so in fact accountability is actually pretty weak.

It has been said that in unity there is strength. Today, more than ever, we see the need to enlist the support of parents as we work together to secure the best education and best educational environment possible for our students. We need the support of parents to stand in Albany, NY, in Washington, DC and in City Hall as we challenge legislators to make young people a top priority on legislative agendas.

Surely with a renewed pledge of solidarity, we will see a reinvestment of economic capital in education. We will see a revitalization of structured environments in school communities. We will see new programs which provide the skills and develop the competencies needed so that our students will become productive members of society.

An investment of economic capital would assure the development of new schools, state of the art libraries, supervised playgrounds and after school programs. These arenas are the safe havens for our youth. An increase in school funding would provide the enrichment afforded by the Arts. The Arts have proven time and time again to have a positive impact on education. New capital investments would seed programs of prevention and intervention for out at – risk students and increase guidance and counseling services to end a child’s cycle of failure and frustration. Failure and frustration unabated, far too often, translate into assaults, disruptions in classrooms and heightening violent Incident statistics.

Recently, parents and teachers were able to affect change in the early grade class – size reduction legislation. Certainly the means by which we reach our end: Creating a safe, healthy, and effective school environment for the students of New York City is through an ongoing commitment of parents/teacher Unity. Mayoral control is not the answer. With parents at our side, the best for New York City is yet to come.Because,
Teachers and Parents want what children need. Together we can have it all.

Phyllis C. Murray,
UFT Chapter Leader
P.S. 75X

I’d opt for checks and balances.

Chicago’s mayoral control is not a slam dunk by any standard. New York’s is a disaster. Ignoring history, and hoping for the best from future mayors is a very, very bad idea.

This notwithstanding, I remember the UFT bitterly complaining about Rudolph Giuliani. In fact, Randi Weingarten came to our school and spoke of him in a most uncomplimentary fashion. I voted for her that year, as I agreed with her every word.

I also remember hearing UFT reps complain of Mayor Koch, and I recall marching in a Labor Day parade where we all wore black T-shirts declaring “Shame on City Hall.”

Given our history, the “public agora” notwithstanding, I find it astounding that there is any question whatsoever about mayoral control. Like the guys I see on HBO’s John Adams, I