School System Lobbyist Hired By NYSUT

The New York State United Teachers' board of directors recently appointed Stephen K. Allinger as the new Director of Legislation. Mr. Allinger had been the city school system's Director of Intergovernmental Affairs since 1994.

For Mr. Allinger, the decision to join the Teachers' struggle was an easy one.

'Mounting Threats'

"I think there's a growing sense that there are mounting threats to public education," Mr. Allinger said in a Jan. 26 phone interview. "NYSUT has the size, breadth and resources to defend public education."

While NYSUT has had no shortage of conflicts with the Department of Education, its leadership praised Mr. Allinger's previous experience.

"For the past 25 years, he's been an education advocate and expert," NYSUT president Richard Iannuzzi said in a statement. "He understands what needs to be done for our schools, colleges and universities, and more importantly, he knows how to get it done."

Mr. Allinger said that the idea of the DOE and the Teachers as adversaries is grossly exaggerated.

'Worked Hand-in-Glove'

"There's a heck of a lot more that should unite us around common interests. Every day I worked with the [United Federation of Teachers]. We worked hand-in-glove on issues like professional development. When you get past the background noise, there were a lot of partnerships."

With the State Legislature now back in session, Mr. Allinger has many goals for the coming year.

"I have several top priorities. One, secure a down payment for CFE to provide financial equity our Teachers need for support. Two, increase support of the faculty in our higher education facilities, with more full-time professors, as opposed to adjunct professors. Three, protect health-care professionals from any ill effects of Medicaid cuts. And four, to defend public education from the ideological right wing, including a voucher-like tax credit proposal, which would siphon resources away from under-resourced schools."