It's a little more than 60 days until the start of the 42nd annual NYSUT Representative Assembly, April 4-6 in New York City.
A big change this year: The RA runs Friday through Sunday instead of Thursday through Saturday, as in past years.
"The shift provides locals with more flexibility when it comes to attending the RA, and lowers hotel costs — a valuable cost-saver for NYSUT and participating locals," said NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi.
Important deadlines to note:
• RA delegates and alternates must be reported to NYSUT by Feb. 18.
• Deadline to registration for the Pre-RA Local and Retiree Council Presidents Conference is also Feb. 18.
• Proposed amendments to the NYSUT constitution and bylaws are due Feb. 3.
• Locals must pay their per capita dues and agency fees by March 14.
The RA is NYSUT's highest policy-making body. Members make their voices heard by electing local delegates to represent them. Delegates, in turn, bring resolutions to the floor that, if approved, set the union's policy agenda for the coming year.
This year, delegates will consider a resolution approved and recommended by the NYSUT Board of Directors declaring "no confidence" in the policies of State Education Commissioner John King Jr. and calling for his removal by the Board of Regents. The resolution also withdraws NYSUT's support of the Common Core standards as implemented and interpreted in New York state until course corrections are made, and supports a three-year moratorium on high-stakes consequences from standardized testing.
RA delegates will also have the opportunity to elect NYSUT officers and members of NYSUT's Board.
"The RA is your opportunity to directly affect the policies of NYSUT," said Iannuzzi. "I encourage you to participate so all locals have a voice in what we do."