For Release [6:00 PM, June 11, 2014 Two Pages

Syracuse Teachers Association 731 James Street

President Kevin Ahern Suite 100
PH: (315) 472-6374 Syracuse, NY 13203
FAX: (315) 472-6379
sta@syrteach.org
Syracuse, NY, June 11, 2014: Kevin Ahern, President of the Syracuse Teachers Association, addressed
the Syracuse City School District Board of Education today:

I am here today to speak on behalf of the three out of every four SCSD employees that the STA
represents. I would like to address my initial comments to the Commissioners because so much of this is
your fault.

For three years now, the STA has reported to this board on a monthly basis. We have chronicled the
continued deterioration of civility and safety in our schools. We have provided ongoing information
detailing the SCSDs inept implementation of APPR, the systemic lack of respect for our members and
their concerns and an absolute failure to provide consistent and requisite supports for new initiatives. By
your inaction, these conditions have been allowed to continue. Through your acquiescence, the
Superintendent has been provided absolute authority to do whatever she sees fit.

Prior to the Superintendents arrival, the STA negotiated a contract extension with this board that
provided the district with significant savings and paved the way for the smooth entrance of a first-time
superintendent. In return for that gesture of good faith and, despite assurances that things will improve,
our concerns have been ignored and the district is clearly headed in the wrong direction. I remind this
board that the Superintendent works for you and not the other way around. I further remind the board that
you are elected officials who have abdicated their fiduciary responsibility to the students, staff and
community. In addition, I promise this board that the STA will do everything in our power to ensure that
the majority of you dont get re-elected.

Finally, our members wish to be heard very clearly by way of the following resolution:

WHEREAS, despite calls from the STA, community members, SCSD staff, parents and other concerned
citizens to immediately address the ongoing incidents of violence, threats and incivility occurring in our
schools every day, Superintendent Contreras has allowed these conditions to continue unabated, and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Contreras has failed to ensure a safe teaching and learning environment in
every school, and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Contreras has overseen a disastrous implementation of APPR for the past
three years, creating fear, confusion and disillusionment among teachers, and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Contreras has allowed middle managers to undermine STAs efforts to
collaboratively engage in shared decision-making that respects teachers voices and utilizes their
expertise, and

WHEREAS, working and learning conditions throughout the district have significantly deteriorated under
the leadership of Superintendent Contreras, and

WHEREAS, Superintendent Contreras has failed to provide the leadership needed to improve teaching,
learning and outcomes for our students, and

WHEREAS, 95.3 percent of STA members voted No Confidence in Superintendent Contreras, be it
therefore

RESOLVED, that the Syracuse Teachers Association Representative Assembly unanimously affirms Our
members No Confidence vote in Superintendent Contreras, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Syracuse Teachers Association urges the Board of Education to immediately enter
into negotiations with Superintendent Contreras for a mutually agreed upon and expedited departure
date.