NYN Media: What do education nonprofits mean by “salary parity” in NYC?
Nonprofits and elected officials rallied outside New York City Hall on Tuesday in support of “salary parity.” As things currently stand, teachers who teach children in city-funded 3-K and pre-K programs receive significantly less than teachers who work for the city Department of Education – as much as $32,000 less each year. Those rallying on March 20 to close this gap included: Wayne Ho of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Councilman Steve Levin, Councilman Mark Treyger, NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, and Jennifer March, executive director of the Citizens’ Committee for Children.
“Community-based organizations serve a significant portion of the students registered in the UPK program. Drastically underpaying the early childhood educators at these organizations isn’t right, it isn’t fair,” said Treyger, a former teacher who chairs the City Council Committee on Education, in a press release. “These educators care for and educate many of our city’s most vulnerable young children. Let’s ensure they are able to do the same for their own children and families by creating long-overdue pay parity for early childhood educators.”
