NYSUT President Melinda Person released a statement after voters across the state turned out Tuesday to approve school budgets and elect school board members. To view the full statement and learn more, please visit: nysut.org/news/2025/may/school-board-statement (fb)

Today at a press conference in Albany, NYSUT President Melinda Person joined lawmakers to discuss the transformative power of unstructured play and the importance of preserving and prioritizing recess. Recess provides children with more than just a break — it nurtures their emotional, cognitive and social development. When students are given space to play, they return to the classroom more engaged, more resilient and more ready to learn. That’s why we’re working with allies, like bill sponsor state Senator James Skoufis, to secure measures for a statewide study of recess practices in grades K-6. Thank you State Senator Shelley Mayer, Rochester City School District, Chantel Jackson and UFT - United Federation of Teachers for joining us. Learn more: nysut.org/news/2025/may/media-release-rally-for-recess (fb)