D75 Chapter Leaders, Para Reps & Teacher Delegates, fill this form out to add your name.

To: Mayor Bill de Blasio

      Chancellor Richard Carranza

      Governor Andrew Cuomo

Cc: UFT President Michael Mulgrew

       District 75 Representative David Doorga

We write to you not only as the proud Educators of District 75, but as the UFT Chapter Leaders who are on the frontlines of this fight for the safe re-opening of our schools.

During a press conference on August 19th, our UFT President Michael Mulgrew brought to the attention of the public that the Department of Education had not yet sat down at the table to discuss the largest school district in the New York City Department of Education, District 75.  Here in District 75, we serve the most vulnerable, medically fragile and exceptional students in New York City.  Our concerns run far beyond our staff.  Our first concern in District 75 is the risk that is being imposed on our special-needs students.  During the one and only meeting between Chancellor Carranza and DOE Staff, also held on August 19th, Chancellor Carranza mentioned District 75 and stated that work is being done to address our needs.  Nothing has been shared with us since then.

Here in District 75, we often feel that despite serving the most special-needs students in New York City, and despite being the largest district in the New York City Department of Education, we fall to the bottom of the barrel when decisions are being made by DOE leadership.  Now more than ever, that lack of support is evident.  During a parent meeting held on August 27th, Chancellor Carranza mentioned he would address District 75 over the next few days.  Chancellor Carranza, we have questions for you.  Where is the safety plan for our district?  Why do we not have an ample amount of PPE being delivered to our schools?  District 75 organizations are multi-sited.  Why is our PPE not being sent to our individual sites?  We have been out of our school buildings for the last 6 months.  Why have you just begun to address the ventilation problems in our buildings?  Where is the busing our students require for safe travel to and from school?  And most concerning, why have you repeatedly refused to acknowledge the safety plan provided by the UFT?

Chancellor Carranza, you have continuously promised that the health and safety of our school communities is your number-one-priority.  By sending us back into an environment that is clearly not ready, you are in fact throwing us to the wolves.  You have not kept your promise to the students and staff of District 75.  Chancellor Carranza, we demand transparency and open communication from you and the Department of Education. We implore you all to either meet the simple demands of the UFT for Supplies, Procedures and Testing or delay reopening until you can safely have your students and staff return to buildings.

Sincerely,

Sarina-Ann Raffa, UFT Chapter Leader @811Q

Margaret L. Negrelli, UFT Chapter Leader @370K

Chad Hamilton, UFT Chapter Leader @231K

Steven Mintzer, UFT Chapter Leader @177Q

Erin Betito, UFT Chapter Leader @224Q

Alexander Reich, UFT Chapter Leader @373R

Crystal Richberg, UFT Chapter Leader @P141K

Donell Singleton, UFT Chapter Leader @P10X

Esther Moreno, UFT Chapter Leader @P77K

Maha Husein, UFT Chapter Leader @186X

Vilma Sánchez, UFT Chapter Leader @469X

Deborah Gordon, UFT Chapter Leader @372K

Reina Black, UFT Chapter Leader @77K

Paula Thomas, UFT Chapter Leader @P4Q

Amberle Reyes, UFT Chapter Leader @226M

Charles Jacobs, UFT Chapter Leader @811K

Natalia Valle, UFT Chapter Leader @721K

Lisa Viscovi, UFT Chapter Leader @993Q

Our District 75 Paraprofessional Representatives and Teacher Delegates stand with us in Unity & Solidarity.

Kimberly Howard, Teacher Delegate @811Q

Sarah Berloe, Teacher Delegate @811Q

Elizabeth Barrera, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q

Jennifer Wambser, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q

Vladimir Lacrete, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q

Nicole Grant, Paraprofessional Representative @811Q

Mark Friedman, Teacher Delegate @177Q

Laura Urban, Teacher Delegate @177Q

Mindy Rosier-Rayburn, Teacher Delegate @811M

Yenny Jimenez, Teacher Delegate @186X

Emily Mellor, Teacher Delegate @186X

Jo Marcellaro, Teacher Delegate @186X

Clarita Rodriguez, Paraprofessional Representative @186X

Joseph Parnell, Paraprofessional Representative @373R

Marianne Guzman, Paraprofessional Representative @226M

Luis Garcia, Paraprofessional Representative @469X

Torera Olapade, Teacher Delegate @721K

Helen Chichester, Paraprofessional Representative @ 721K

Rob Roszkowski, Teacher Delegate @993Q

Fred Leibowitz, Teacher Delegate @993Q

Danielle DeBellis, Teacher Delegate @993Q