Get the latest news from RTA President Dr. Adam Urbanski.
Adam’s Update (9.16.26) RTA Declares Impasse in Negotiations
Colleagues, At their monthly meeting yesterday evening, the RTA Representative Assembly voted unanimously to declare impasse in our stalled negotiations for a successor contract with the Rochester City School District. We are filing for impasse today and asking the NYS Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to appoint an impartial mediator to help resolve the issues. After months of frustrating and fruitless meetings since our contract expired on June 30, the District remains unresponsive to virtually all RTA proposals aimed at adding needed services for our students, lowering class sizes, making our schools safer, increasing our capacity to attract and retain teachers, and improving teaching and learning conditions in our schools. The District currently has the money (more than $1.1 Billion budget and a reserve of at least $312 Million 85% of which is unencumbered) to make schools safer, to make class sizes smaller, to provide our students the services that they need...
Tentative Agreement on Modified Contract Extension
Colleagues, I am pleased to inform you that we have reached a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with...
Adam’s Update (4.22.25) Negotiations, Transfer & Placement Days, RTA Elections, Workshops, Insurance Deductible MOA, PD Opportunities
Colleagues, Welcome back from the Spring recess. Below is a brief update on some current and...
Adam’s Update (2.3.25) Negotiations, Voluntary Transfer, Job Sharing, Vehicle Damage Reimbursement, Retirement Seminar
Colleagues, Attached is a brief update about a few timely issues: - Negotiations. After...
Adam’s Update (1.6.25) Happy New Year, Negotiations Input
Colleagues, Welcome back and best wishes for the new year. Our current Collective Bargaining...
Adam’s Update (11.25.24) Negotiations, School Safety and Security, Containing Health Insurance Cost Increases, Reduced Class Size Limits
Colleagues, As we approach the Thanksgiving break, here’s a brief update: - Preparation For...
Adam’s Update (11.4.24) Exercise Your Right to Vote
Colleagues, If you haven’t voted already, please be sure to do so tomorrow. Attached is the RTA...
Adam’s Update (8.27.24) Projected Layoffs Restored, Class Sizes Lowered, Initial Payroll Date and Stipends, Teacher Leader Program, Labor Day Parade
Colleagues, As the summer recess draws to a close, we want to welcome you back and provide a brief...
Adam’s Update (6.4.24) Interim Superintendent, Fighting Layoffs, School Safety, Spread a Check, Labor Walk, Save the Date for Year-End Social
Colleagues, Here’s a brief update: - Interim Superintendent. The Board of Education appointed...
Adam’s Update (4.24.24) Safety, Transfer Schedule, Supt Search, PD Opportunities, Special Event, D&C Solidarity
Colleagues, Here are some timely announcements and a brief update: - Safety...
Adam’s Update (2.26.24) Sabbaticals, Job Sharing, Lesson Plans, Auto Insurance Deductible Reimbursement, NexGen EAP,
Colleagues, Welcome back. I hope you had a restful February break. Here’s a brief update: -...
Adam’s Update (1.25.24) Staffing Timeline, First 15 Minutes, PD Opportunity, Retirement Deadline
Colleagues, Here’s a brief update: - Staffing Timeline. Although most of the staffing and transfer...
Adam’s Update (12.12.23) MOA, Reconfiguration
Colleagues, The closing of even a single school is usually difficult and controversial. So when...
Adam’s Update (12.8.23) School Reorganization, First 15 Minutes, Academic Freedom, Cash in Rally Rewards, PD Opportunities
Colleagues, Here are a few timely announcements and a brief update on some current issues: -...
Adam’s Update (10.14.23) Reorganization, First 15 Minutes, Substitute Teachers Tentative Contract, Arts MOA, Athletic Coaches MOA
Colleagues, Here’s a brief update on some current issues and developments: - School...
Adam’s Update (9.18.23) Proposed Reconfiguration Plan, First 15 Minutes, Insurance Deductible Reimbursement, COVID Protocols, Teacher Leaders Program, RTA Dinner Seminar, Additional PD Opportunities
Colleagues, As we begin the third week of this school year, I want to update you on a few salient...
Adam’s Update (9.5.23) District’s Email Regarding Mandated Vector Training
Colleagues, Last Friday night the District sent an email to you about mandated “Vector Training”...
Adam’s Update (9.3.23) First 15 Minutes of the Day, Auto Insurance Deductible Reimbursement, Teacher Leaders Program, RTA Educational Dinner Seminars, Labor Day Parade
Colleagues, As the summer recess is coming to an end, we are continuing to address with the...
Adam’s Update (8.22.23) Arrival and Dismissal of Students
Colleagues, For the last several weeks we have been working with Superintendent Peluso and the...
Adam’s Update (8.17.23) First 15 Minutes of the Day
Colleagues, I hope that you’re enjoying your summer recess and I apologize for this brief...
Adam’s Update (7.7.23) Vehicle Insurance Deductible Reimbursement
July 7, 2023 Dear Colleagues, Upon successfully concluding negotiating the attached Memorandum of...
Adam’s Update (6.26.23) Vehicle Damage Reimbursement, Morning Unencumbered Time, Anti-Union Campaign
Colleagues, As you begin your well-earned summer recess, I want to briefly update you on just a...
Adam’s Update (5.30.23) Placement Days, Unencumbered 15 minutes, Emergency Sub Coverage, Cameras in Multipurpose Rooms, & Impasse in Substitute Negotiations
Colleagues, Welcome back. Hope you had a restful Memorial Day weekend and enjoyed the nice weather...