Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi: Union’s Grant Refusal ‘Makes Me Sick to My Stomach’
A New York Assemblyman says he is sick to his stomach if reports are true that the Utica teachers union turned down about $2.5 million in grants for teacher training and development.
In an article by The Utica Observer-Dispatch's Keshia Clukey the President of the Utica Teachers' Association, Cherie Grant, is reported to have not agreed to one grant that was due in July because it was "incomplete" when it was presented to her. A second grant, due earlier this month, was not signed off on because she said the financial benefit of the grant would only have been temporary. Clukey quotes Grant as saying, "Longitudinally I didn't see enough benefit for my members, and quite frankly the bottom line regarding layoffs is that until the state adequately funds school districts like Utica, I don't believe that grants can make up the difference or fill the void...That's on the state."
WIBX has spoken with union vice president, Mary Widomski, who would not offer an official comment and referred us to union president Cherie Grant. Messages left for Grant have not yet been returned as of this posting, possibly because of scheduling.