What are Pols Saying About NYSED’s King?
A few state legislators have begun to weigh in on John King’s cowardly acts from last week.
State Senator Cecilia Tkaczyk writes…
Dear Dr. King,
I was greatly saddened to read about your decision to suspend four planned PTA-sponsored Town Hall Meetings on the Common Core.Common Core and the standardized testing mandates we’ve placed on our schools, teachers and students are among the most significant challenges ever faced by our public education system. They deserve a full airing, and those involved — parents, students and teachers in every part of the state — must have the opportunity to be a part of the process and to have their concerns addressed.One of the recurring complaints on common core and testing is that parents and teachers were not brought in to the planning process. To now refuse to hold future meetings would only reinforce the perception that State Education Department is forcing the curriculum without proper planning and public input.I think the Friday night meeting in Poughkeepsie can be taken as a teachable moment. I am certain that the Town Hall events can be structured in such a way that they provide for a useful give and take, and I strongly urge you to restore these community meetings. Further I am hopeful that you will attend an education forum I am hosting with other State Legislators on October 22, at Kingston High School from 5 pm to 7 pm.Your attendance would help assuage the frustrations, fears and concerns of the parents, teachers and school administrators in my district.Sincerely,
State Senator Jack Martins has a lengthy reply here, and ends with this…
At the moment New York needs a caring pragmatist willing to address real concerns raised by caring parents and educators who see a system being manipulated from above to the detriment of their children. Unfortunately, we have John King. He should immediately reschedule these forums or he should immediately resign.
State Senator Timothy Kennedy urged King to reschedule the meetings.
It should be mentioned that State Assemblyman Steve Englebright initially called for King’s resignation in August. He was ahead of the curve!
The state senators representing Comsewogue have been curiously silent. However, they say a picture speaks a thousand words…
The Offical Website of the PJSTA 
I can’t wait to get rid of both Flanagan and King! Flanagan has never been a friend of education. It is more about where the power lies, than what is right! Well, Commissioner King wasn’t ever offered the opportunity to be tenured teacher, so what does he know about public education? NOTHING!!! Good bye to both!