Fix Tier 6 Rally and Meetup
Thanks to all who joined us!
The BTA had a great showing on March 6th at the Fix Tier 6 rally at WCC. We marched with members from local teachers, fire, police and nursing unions, as well as listened to NYSUT leaders, local legislators and union members speak to the work that needs to be done to fix Tiers 5 and 6. “We won’t quit until we Fix Tier 6!” We met up afterwards at Captain Lawrence with our PNW and Rockland BOCES colleagues. See our Facebook site for more pics. Shoutout to our CTE teacher Michele Hamilton for being featured in NYSUT’s video! (17 second mark)
NYSUT Healthcare Professionals Conference
April 5, 2025 at Crotonville Conference Center, Ossining
Use the link above to register for the conference, which is geared towards clinicians, school counselors and RSPs. Cost is $100 for NYSUT members. The course offers Social Workers 5.5 CEUs. Registration ends March 13th.
Welcome New Members
Qiuying Song, Tappan Hill
Congrats to June Retirees!
Maria DiNardo, Irvington – 19 years
Marie Martha Emile, Tappan Hill – 18 years
Elizabeth O’Connor, Tappan Hill – 37 years
Colleen Werthner, Tappan Hill – 17 years
Garfield Reynolds, Tappan Hill – 26 years
Anne Treco, Tappan Hill – 26 years
Madelie Bruno, Tappan Hill – 19 years
Committee of 100/Protect our Kids Rally
Our President, Mairead Schuelein, went up to Albany this week to participate in NYSUT’s Committee of 100. There she spoke with Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman Steve Otis and Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins about the importance of fixing the outdated CTE and Boces Aid Formula. She then participated in the nationwide Protect our Kids Rally.
Question of the Month
Some members have reached out to Reps and Exec Board members with questions that are commonly asked. As a result, we will attempt to answer a submitted question each month. This month’s question surrounds use of personal days.
How many personal days do I get each year?
All Certified Staff and Aides get 3 personal days per year. These days are pro-rated if you start mid-year. ALC staff who work 17 hours or more per week will receive one personal day.
How do I take a personal day?
The general rule is that you need to submit a form to your supervisor prior to taking a personal day. The form can be found here. This form must be submitted two days ahead of the personal day for Certified Staff, 3 days ahead for Aides, and no contractual language for ALC staff.
Certified Staff: You do not need to give a reason for the personal day – just write “personal”
Aides: You do not need to give a reason for 2 of your 3 personal days. The third day needs
a reason for the request to be approved by the Director of HR.
Can I use personal time in increments of one hour?
Certified Staff and Aides: No, you must either take a “half day AM”, “half day PM”, or full day personal. You need to indicate that in the form.
ALC: it is “one paid personal day”, meaning the hours you work that day.
Once I submit the form, do I have to do anything else?
Yes, you must put your absence into AESOP. The attendance code will be “personal”. We advise you to get a copy of form signed by your supervisor from the administrative assistant at your location.
What happens if I don’t take all of my personal days this year?
They will roll over into sick days for the 2025-2026 school year.
What if an emergency arises and I need to take a personal day?
Certified Staff and Aides: We can use one of our three personal days as an “emergency” personal day. Requests for “emergency” personal days should be pre-filed, if possible. What qualifies as “emergency” is determined by the Director of HR. If you find yourself in this position, email your supervisor as soon as you know you need an emergency personal day. If you can’t pre-file the emergency day, you will need to submit a written request (email) to the Director of HR immediately upon your return.
ALC: there is is no contractual provision for emergency personal days.
Can I take a personal day the day after Spring Break/Easter Sunday?
Certified Staff and Aides: you cannot take a personal day adjacent to a holiday or school break, which includes days such as Juneteenth, Yom Kippur and Lunar New Year.
ALC: your contract does not state that you cannot take the personal day following a holiday.
Do you have a question you would like to see answered here? Please send your question to president.
Reminders and A Look Ahead
ALC members: President Mairead Schuelein and VP of ALC Keith Mattos will be at your training on Saturday, 3/22 at 8:45am to discuss upcoming assignments and future contract negotiations. Mairead Schuelein will be sending you each an email in the next few days – please be sure that you respond to that email ASAP.Next Rep Council meeting: Please join us virtually on Wednesday, March 26th at 4pm for our next virtual Rep Council meeting. Link to follow!
If you receive an email from your supervisor saying you can bring a union rep to a scheduled meeting, reach out to one of the Reps or Exec Board members listed at the bottom of this bulletin ASAP.
Swag shop to open soon! Be on the lookout for emails from Rosalie Consani, Corresponding Secretary, about our Spring swag shop.
Executive Board and Reps
Mairead Schuelein, President
Jason Poniatowski, Executive Vice President
Stacey DiPaola, Treasurer
Derrick Green, 1st Vice President of Aides
Keith Mattos, 2nd Vice President of ALC
Mike Piccolo, Grievance Chair
Rosalie Consani, Corresponding Secretary
Liz Lopez, Recording Secretary
Julie Crosier, Teacher Rep
Theresa Saive, Teacher Rep
Pierre Fils, CTE Rep
Ann Robertson, TA Rep
Tarik Curry, Aide Rep
Read more: March 9, 2025 bulletin, Fix Tier 6, Retirees, Personal Days, Reminders
BOCES Teachers Association 