June 6, 2017

Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo

Governor, New York State
NYS State Capitol Building
Albany, New York 12224

Honorable John J. Flanagan, Majority Leader

New York State Senate
Room 330, State Capitol Building
Albany, New York 11248

Honorable Jeffrey D. Klein

New York State Senate
Legislative Office Building, Room 913
Albany, NY 12247

Honorable Carl E. Heastie, Speaker

New York State Assembly
Legislative Office Building 932
Albany, New York 12248

Dear Governor Cuomo, Majority Leader Flanagan, IDC Leader Klein and Speaker Heastie,

As labor leaders who represent the backbone of many of New York Citys institutions, we know that our communities
cannot thrive without a well-educated and highly skilled workforce. Many of our members were educated in New York
City schools and now have children who attend public schools across the five boroughs. We know firsthand that the future
of our city rests on our ability to give every child a path to prosperity. Therefore, we strongly urge you to pass a multi-
year extension of mayoral control of the New York City school system.

As a proven governance model, mayoral control has produced results for our children schools have the highest
graduation rate in history, more students than ever are taking Advanced Placement exams, English State test scores up are
in every district, and crime in schools is at historic lows. Creating a major initiative like Pre-K for All and seeing it
through so that 70,000 four-year-olds are now in full-day, high-quality Pre-K is an achievement that simply would not be
possible without a Mayor in full possession of all the resources of City government.

Mayor de Blasios vision for continued improvement of the school system, the Equity and Excellence for All agenda, is
aimed at making sure every single New York City student has access to an excellent, well-rounded education and path to
success. Our communities have become stronger due to greater resources for long-struggling schools and expanded
involvement of parents and caregivers and through the development of Community Schools that meet students social,
emotional, and health and mental health needs.

Our members know what is needed for schools to succeed they have lived it as students themselves and they are
experiencing it with their children and neighbors. The next generation of workers must be prepared to tackle the big
challenges of todays society. An effective public education system that features opportunities in the sciences, technology,
engineering, arts and mathematics will give young people the skills necessary to be successful in the future and benefit all
those who live in the community.

With streamlined decision-making, improved transparency, and a commitment to making families and communities
essential partners, our schools are moving forward. Our children cannot afford to go back, so we ask you to pass a multi-
year extension of mayoral control of New York City schools, so the vital progress in our school communities can
continue.

Sincerely,

Stuart Appelbaum
President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU)

Barbara Bowen
President, The Professional Staff Congress, CUNY

Kuba Brown
Business Manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 94, 94A and 94B

Hctor Figueroa
President, 32BJ SEIU

Augustino Gagliardi
President and Executive Director, Local 802, American Federation of Musicians

Henry Garrido
Executive Director, District Council 37, AFSCME AFL-CIO

Bill Granfield
President, UNITE-HERE Local 100

George Gresham
President, 1199 SEIU
George Miranda
President, Teamsters Joint Council 16

Frank Proscia, M.D.

President, Doctors Council SEIU

Dennis Trainor
Vice President, Communications Workers of America, District 1

Peter Ward
President, Hotel and Motel Trades Council