Workers, supporters rally to save early childhood program BROOKLYN — The holidays students, who would have needed arrived early for dozens of to be placed in different schools parents, children and workers in the middle of the school year. who rallied to save an early More than 80 educators and childhood education program support staff would have also run by the Guild for Exceptional been laid off. The school services Children (GEC). a diverse population of special-needs Slated for closure on Jan. children in languages that 23, 2015, the 40-year-old Carrie include Mandarin, Cantonese and Mastronardi Early Childhood Spanish. Education Program will now Despite freezing tuition for the remain open for at least the past six years, which at $26,500 remainder of the school year. is below the regional average, the “The parties are close to program is nearly $2 million in reaching a solution that would the red. keep the school funded in “Tuition has been frozen at perpetuity,” said CSEA Contract this level for the past six years,” Administration Specialist and said GEC director Paul Cassone, former GEC worker Neil Kelly. who was also joined by State “While we are pleased with the Sen. Martin Golden at the rally. progress that has been made, we “At the same time we have been will not rest until a permanent forced to pay more rent, health solution is reached.” insurance, workers compensation The planned closure of and wages.” the school would have been News of the last-minute devastating for some 240 reprieve was well received CSEA activists and parents, children, workers and supporters rally in front of the Brooklyn Office of the State Education Department to keep the Guild for Exceptional Children’s Early Childhood Education Program open. by Guild workers and CSEA Metropolitan President Lester Crockett, who also marched and rallied with parents, children and workers in front of the State Education Department. “Our members have financial responsibilities to provide for themselves and their families,” said Crockett. “But most importantly, they have the heart and patience. This is one of the most difficult jobs for any person to maintain because you have to have a certain kind of heart. A lot of people are not built for it.” — David Galarza The 2015 CSEA calendar is here! Order your free 2015 CSEA calendar today! Supplies are limited. To order, visit CSEA’s website at www.cseany.org and click on the CSEA calendar graphic. (You will need your CSEA Member Number to log in and reserve your calendar.) January 2015 The Work Force 7
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