March 5, 2025 — PEF leaders and members joined AFT President Randi Weingarten, NYS AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento and hundreds of NYSUT (New York State United Teachers) members on March 4 for a rally outside the State Capitol to “Protect Our Kids” from federal cuts to education.
Speakers at the rally pointed out that proposals on the table by the federal government to gut the Department of Education would devastate schools and communities. Classrooms will be overcrowded, special education, mental health and family support services will be reduced, and all taxpayers will end up paying more to support schools in their communities.
PEF President Wayne Spence passionately recalled the support his daughter, now 25 and with a master’s degree in accounting, received from first to fifth grade to help with her reading skills.
“It was hard to get the assistance and have somebody work with her,” he said. “That was Title I (federal funding). And I am glad that Title I was there to fund those services. We need to make sure we pay it forward and do not let them take back what we have had.”
The Albany rally was one of hundreds across the country organized by AFT local unions. The campaign to “Protect Our Kids” is ongoing and PEF members looking to get involved can find ways to contribute at www.aft.org/ProtectOurKids.