Itinerant or non-school based staff can apply for a DOE parking permit using the same portal as school-based staff: https://www.opt-osfns.org/DSF/Resources/DSF_ParkingPermit/Home. 

DOE parking spaces and locations have been capped citywide and no new parking spaces will be installed for any faculty in newer school buildings. In addition, if a school closes or relocates, parking spaces are non-transferable and the spaces neither move with the school nor would a new school moving into a building inherit those spaces. 

Yes. 

The workday of a substitute para is based on a workday of 6 hours and 50 minutes, inclusive of lunch. The student day ends after 6 hours and 20 minutes. The school to which the para is assigned has the discretion to decide whether the substitute must remain past the end of the student day. If a principal chooses to release the substitute para at the end of the student day, the pay will be prorated based on a 6 hour, 20 minute workday. 

If the school requires the substitute to remain beyond the end of the student day, the substitute should be assigned to duties such as working with a classroom teacher, reflecting on the day, or attending a professional development session.

Now that early voting has been instituted across the state, the DOE no longer grants release time to vote on Election Day. To learn more about early voting, visit NYC Votes for upcoming dates and polling sites.

The UFT’s new contact center is open and can provide support with all your union rights and benefits. Call the following numbers with any questions or for assistance:

• DOE members, 212-331-6311
• DOE functional chapter members, 212-331-6312
• UFT Welfare Fund, 212-539-0500 – questions about health benefits
• UFT Welfare Fund forms, 212-539-0539 – to obtain forms
• Paid Parental Leave Information, 212-539-0510

You can also use Ask George, our Member Hub guide, to obtain answers to common questions 24/7.

Since the general education teacher and the special education teacher have different responsibilities, each must have a lesson plan.

No. When a general education teacher is a required member of the IEP team for the student, one of the student’s general education teachers must be present for the entirety of the IEP meeting. Similarly, when a special education teacher is a required member of an IEP team, one of the student’s special education teachers must be present for the entirety of the IEP meeting. General education or special education teachers may only be excused through written parental consent at least five days prior to the IEP meeting.

According to the 2023 contract, student assessment activities, which include IEP meetings, are now being prioritized as professional activity assignments for special education teachers.

If your school has a special education intervention teacher on staff, they may participate as the special education teacher in IEP meetings of students they support. They may also provide coverage for other special education teachers to attend meetings for requested evaluations and three-year reevaluations, but not annual reviews.

Yes, a general education teacher can provide coverage if adequate efforts have been made to locate an appropriately certified special education teacher and no one is available. However, co-teachers in the same ICT class cannot cover for each other during prep periods.

A mentor is an experienced classroom teacher, coach or lead teacher that ideally teaches the same grade or subject as the new teacher mentee. Each school has a New Teacher Induction Committee, which ensures new teachers receive this mentoring and school chapter leaders are required members of this team. Ask your chapter leader if you have any questions about how mentors are chosen at your school.