As the new school year nears, the teachers of our public school system still do not have a new, fair and affordable contract.
Why? There is no reason for the city Department of Education and the United Federation of Teachers to still not have come to an agreement regarding a new contract. Why are both sides dragging their feet? It seems city Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott and UFT President Michael Mulgrew cannot agree on anything tangible.
They had better get their act together and sit down to do some hard bargaining. Teachers work hard under a plethora of conditions. Overcrowded classes, disruptive students, lack of essential teaching materials, unsupportive administrators and uncooperative parents are several factors teachers much face in the classroom every day.
It is time for them to be given a fair and affordable contract. Let us stop the stalling and get a contract now.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
