Cuomo acts on NYC deadlock

On Board Online • February 25, 2013

By Cathy Woodruff

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is acting to empower state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. to resolve a dispute on teacher and principal evaluations in New York City if the current stalemate continues.

Cuomo has proposed an amendment to his executive budget that would direct King to impose an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) plan for New York City if union and administration leaders there do not agree on an acceptable plan by June 1.

Cuomo said the deadline is necessary to ensure that the city has an APPR program in place for the start of the next school year on Sept. 1 and to avoid the loss of additional aid tied to enactment of an approved plan. The city has already lost $250 million.

In a written statement, King and Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch said: “Hopefully, Governor Cuomo’s leadership will push New York City and its bargaining units to reach an agreement. But if they can’t meet their responsibility, we stand ready to move forward to meet the parameters the governor has laid out.”

Cuomo announced the provision on Feb. 20 when he unveiled a group of 30-day amendments to his 2013-14 proposed budget.