Get the latest news from RTA President Dr. Adam Urbanski.
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 Negotiations. Our current contract expires on June 30, 2025, and we are already beginning preparations to negotiate a successor collective bargaining agreement. You will soon receive a survey to identify priorities. RTA will also conduct open forums and focus groups to elicit our members’ opinions, suggestions and insights. Our bargaining will be guided by the collective wisdom of teachers and will focus on improving the conditions for teaching and learning. Exchange of bargaining proposals will be in early Spring with the goal of reaching agreement before the current contract expires. During negotiations, we must maintain our solidarity and remain united in our advocacy for what is needed to make our schools safe and effective for all our students. - School Safety and Security. This remains a concern for teachers and therefore a priority for our union. Through the Living Contract...
read moreAdam’s Update (11.9.21) Latest Proposal on Reorganization of Schools
Colleagues, Superintendent Myers-Small just proposed to the Board of Education that some schools...
Adam’s Update (11.7.21) Seeking Safe Schools
Colleagues, For the last several weeks, we have been trying to get the District to enact measures...
Adam’s Update (10.31.21) Action Needed
Colleagues, The presidents of all four unions within the RCSD sent the message below to...
Adam’s Update (10.15.21) Union Presidents Call For District Leadership Address Safety Concerns In RCSD Buildings
Colleagues, Attached is a joint letter sent to Superintendent Myers-Small and Board President Van...
Adam’s Updates (9.23.21) Vaccination/Testing Mandate, Proposed Solutions to Reopening Concerns, Negotiations, Open House
Colleagues, Here’s a brief update: - Vaccination or Testing Mandate. More than 95% of Rochester...
Adam’s Update (9.16.21) Sunday Deadline, Solution Driven Unionism, Rochester Teachers Care, Resource Handbook, Office Protocols, Thank You
Colleagues, Here’s a brief update: - Deadline Is This Sunday. More than 80% of teachers have...
Adam’s Updates (9.12.21) Bus Transportation, Simultaneous Teaching
Colleagues, Just another brief update on the issues related to the problems with bus...
Adam’s Update (9.9.21) Late Buses & Simultaneous Teaching
Colleagues, Please excuse this late hour email but we want to at least acknowledge and initially...
Adam’s Update (9.06.21) Brief Update Trying to Clear Up Confusion
Colleagues, Last night’s meeting of the RCSD Board of Education was frustrating, to say the least....
Adam’s Update (9.3.21) The Mess We’re In
Colleagues, I’m sure you’ve been following the unfolding developments with the District’s...
Adam’s Update (8.26.21) Impact Bargaining Continues
Colleagues, When the District announced a week ago their plan for reopening schools, we...
Adam’s Update (8.18.21) District Communication on Vaccinations
Colleagues, Earlier today you received a communication from the District notifying you about the...
Adam’s Update (7.22.21) Contract Extension
Dear Colleagues, I am pleased to inform you that, earlier this evening, the RTA Representative...
Adam’s Update (6.25.21) Thank You & Enjoy Your Well Deserved Summer Recess
Colleagues, Just a brief note to wish you a safe and restful summer recess. You’ve certainly...
Adam’s Update: The Truth About the District’s Budget, Part III: Pattern of Misrepresentation
Colleagues, As we wind down this difficult school year, and await the report of the Fact Finder...
The Truth About the District’s Budget, Part II: How to Spend the Additional Money
Colleagues, At the same time that the Rochester City School District continues to misrepresent and...
Adam’s Update (6.6.21) Negotiations, Simultaneous Teaching, Layoffs & Displacements, APPR, Vaccinations, Rochester Teachers Care, the District’s Masking Policy
Colleagues, As we begin the final stretch for this school year, here’s a brief update on some...
Adam’s Update (6.1.21) The Misrepresentation of the District’s Finances
Colleagues, Differences in school finances are not unusual. We’ve had these disputes before and...
Adam’s Update (4.28.21) We’re Not Falling For It
Colleagues, Before you decide whether to accept the Superintendent’s invitation (see below) to...
Adam’s Update (4.15.21) RCSD’s 2021-22 Plan
Colleagues, Earlier today you received a communication from the District about “Important...
Adam’s Update (3.15.21) Safety in Schools, Avoiding Layoffs, Simultaneous Teaching Alternatives, Insisting on an End to Bad Faith Bargaining
Colleagues, It’s been a full year of unprecedented difficulties. Yet, you have gone way beyond the...
Adam’s Updates (3.5.21) Vaccination Openings for RTA Members with Release Time
Colleagues, As I’ve indicated in Wednesday’s Update, with the help of our state-level union, the...