Page 4 - Work Force May 2025

4 The Work Force May 2025
President Mary E. Sullivan in touch with
New York’s public schools are the
foundation of our communities,
providing education, safety and
opportunity for our children. However,
schools across the state are facing
unprecedented challenges that put at
risk education and the services provided
by our hardworking members.
President Donald Trump recently
signed an executive order that sets
into motion his campaign promise
to dismantle the U.S. Department of
Education. It is unclear of how this
action will play out because there are
multiple lawsuits filed against this
order and a complete removal of the
Department of Education would require
an act of Congress. Nonetheless, I am
deeply concerned about the future of the
Department of Education and what it
could mean for school districts that are
already facing challenges.
More than $5.5 billion in federal aid
is provided to New York’s schools, many
of which employ CSEA members. Most
of these schools are in rural and urban
communities that badly need this aid
for survival. Without federal aid, these
schools may be forced to diminish or
cut vital services for students. Many of
these services are performed by CSEA
members, such as Bus transportation,
which is already facing a shortage of
drivers or cuts to nutrition programs
such as Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP).
Without federal funding to education,
it would be tougher to keep our school
facilities safe and healthy to allow
children to learn. That’s why we must
continue to advocate for CSEA school
employees. Call your representatives and
urge them to support continued federal
funding for education. You can also take
action by voting in this year’s Board
of Education and school budget votes
on May 20 to make a difference in the
future of our schools.
Finally, during this Member
Appreciation Month, I would like to
personally thank our school district
members along with all CSEA members
for the hard work you do every day.
In Solidarity,
Mary E. Sullivan, President
Work WorkForce Force
The The
The future of our
schools includes
many challenges
ISSN 1522-1091
Official publication of
CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
143 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Mary E. Sullivan, President
Long Island Region:
WENDI BOWIE
(631) 462-0030
Metropolitan Region:
DAVID GALARZA
(212) 406-2156
Southern Region:
JESSICA LADLEE
(845) 831-1000
Capital Region:
THERESE ASSALIAN
(518) 782-4400
Central Region:
NICHOLAS NEWCOMB
(315) 728-3375
Western Region:
SARA MCNICHOLAS
(716) 691-6555
Headquarters:
JILL ASENCIO
(518) 257-1276
Communications Specialists:
Work WorkForce Force
CSEA Family,
The Work Force (USPS 0445-010)
is published monthly by
The CSEA Publication Office:
143 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210.
Periodical Mail Postage paid at
Post Office, Albany, New York 12288,
and additional mailing offices.
Postmaster: Send address changes to:
CSEA, Attn: Membership Department,
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Publisher, The Work Force
143 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210-2303
Chris Vogel, Chair
Karen Bright
Tim Finnigan
Kathleen Rider
Marnie Rounds
John Wagner
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BRYAN MILLER
Director of Communications and Publisher
MATHEW L. CANTORE
Deputy Director of Communications
JANICE GAVIN
Editor
JASON D. HOSIER
Graphic Production Specialist
SAGE POHLMANN
Graphic Production Specialist
BOBBY COMPANI
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JOELLE LUCENTE
Communications Assistant
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