EDNotes Online Discusses Getting The Vote Out For MORE

What I Learned at GOTV at Francis Lewis HS - 90% of UFT Members Probably Have not yet voted

LINK

Arthur Goldstein: cookie for Ballot

When MORE got only 1200 elementary school votes in the 2013 election Julie Cavanagh was incredulous. "Everyone voted in my school," she said. My response today would be - did you actually see their ballots? Did they send you a selfie of them putting the ballot in the mailbox? I would bet that at this point - halfway through the election that 90% of UFT members have not yet voted and only a small portion of these people will end up voting at all - except in schools where people go through a major GOTV effort. I would also bet that thousands of people did not get a ballot but because UFT election are so low on their radar they do not even know it -- unless there is someone to remind them. Or maybe, seeing URGENT which appears on so much junk mail, they just tossed it.

James Eterno writes about such an effort at ICE - where he goes door to door with an organization sheet checking off names and found loads of people without a ballot - our suggestion is to have the AAA number in your phone and call right there and have them ask for a ballot to be sent. Read about his effort: GETTING OUT THE VOTE IN THE UFT ELECTION.

As far as I know James is the only one who does this which he calls Pol Sci 101. GOTV is a face to face process. In big schools getting allies to carve up the school makes this feasible. I bet almost everyone in James' school will vote MORE because he has their admiration and respect. Same with former Jamaica HS UFTers who are now scattered all over the place. 

Unfortunately few MORE supporters do much more than vote themselves and maybe tell a few others to vote - and they never find out how many people in their schools did not get a ballot or if they did did not toss it as junk mail.

I got an education as to why vote totals in the UFT elections are so low. And especially why the opposition has done more poorly than they expected based on what people were telling them. After my visit to Francis Lewis HS on Thursday at the request of FLHS Chapter Leader Arthur Goldstein who blogs as NYC Educator I am more concerned than ever that not enough people in their schools are doing what Arthur did at Francis Lewis High School, where even with an extraordinary effort more than half the staff brought in their ballots with another 10% saying they already had mailed them or were going to. Arthur will not let up and will keep urging people to vote. By the end of the day I imagine that 80% of FLHS people will end up voting, hopefully most of them for MORE.

If you support MORE get an organization sheet and ask every UFT member if they voted.

I do want to point out that most ballots returned to us were already sealed, many of them with the entire booklet enclosed. Since most people vote slate and not for individuals I was curious why they didn't tear off the top sheet. The response was they voted slate but didn't realize they could tear off the sheet so they sent in the entire booklet.

Arthur put in an extraordinary effort to make this happen writing letters to the staff like this: Staff Letter 3. He put out instructions on voting and most of them will vote for MORE not because of the platform or because they love Jia Lee but because they love and trust Arthur - just spend some time with him and see how he interacts with people. He has enormous respect as a teacher, a chapter leader and as a person of integrity. MORE could put out blank pages and people will vote MORE because of Arthur.

Arthur sat there with his cell and had several people call the number. There were those who had crumpled their envelopes and had to go and retrieve them. There were two who had inadvertently tossed them and several who had never received them. These few represent many citywide. 

And that is a lesson. We could stuff mail boxes numerous times and it will barely make a dent -- what is needed are people on site who can advocate - now if a person is viewed as a lousy or lazy teacher or someone who is dishonest, people will not vote for MORE. The same with Unity - someone I know from the theater had no idea what MORE was but said she would not vote for any party her Unity CL was connected with. I informed her.

Given the low turnouts of 17% in UFT elections it is quite an achievement to get 60 or more % to vote but I am a perfectionist and hoped for even more, especially since this school has 250 UFT members, of which about 200 are teachers whose votes may be the deciding ones in winning the high school seats. Below I'll review some of the problems we found for those still doing GOTV campaigns - which I urge people to do right up to the last few days of the election - ballots must be in by May 25 (count is the next day).

people didn't get ballots - we called AAA right there and gave them a cookie anyway.

people threw away the outer envelope thinking all they had to do was drop the Secret ballot inner envelope in a ballot box.

people were confused as to how to vote by the large booklet - not understanding the concept of checking the box to vote for an entire slate.

many checked a box on the front but didn't tear off the front sheet, thus the entire booklet goes in -- not that consequential but doing so delays the counts as each booklet has to be torn apart and scanned.

We hung out in the teacher lunchroom from 9:30-12:30 to collect the ballots in exchange for a giant cookie baked by a teacher on the staff who has a bakery business based in Rockaway - which I didn't find out until reading about him in The Wave. When people told us they had voted or would on their own we told them we wanted a selfie showing them putting the ballot in the mail box. But we gave them a cookie anyway.

I put the over 100 ballots in a bag and took them to the post office in Rockaway on my way home.

Having never participated in such a GOTV campaign I learned a lot about what doesn't work in the UFT election balloting process.

Arthur had worked diligently on this event - sending emails, putting instructions in mail boxes, etc. What became clear was that most people don't have the time or patience to read in depth, which made the "give me your sealed ballot and we'll mail it for you and you get a delicious cookie big enough for a meal."

The entire concept of a booklet and individual voting for up to 800 people for each slate is confusing to people and suppresses the vote. I don't have easy answers - here's one -- just vote for officers and Ex Bd and not for individuals for AFT/NYSUT and apportion to each caucus the percentage their caucus got. After the election they choose who their delegates will be. But that would actually make the election fair by breaking the Unity Caucus block and that is the last thing they will do - unless forced to by enough outrage coming from the rank and file.

Even though we know we can only win a few crumbs, the larger the vote for MORE/New Action the more pressure we can put on the UFT leadership.

So get out those organization sheets and go to work this week. I bet you will be surprised at how many people you work with did not get ballots or tossed them. And have that AAA number handy. 1-800-529-5218.

OP-ED: Why Cyberstalker Francesco Portelos and His Bully Mob, UFT Solidarity, Failed

Francesco Portelos

EDITORIAL: Cyberstalker Francesco Portelos and His Blame Game Must Be Stopped

by Betsy Combier, Editor, NYC Rubber Room Reporter

Since I posted this article on my website and blog NYC Rubber Room Reporter, I have received many anonymous comments which are too insulting to post, but from the comments which are NOT anonymous, the members of Francesco Portelos' gang have threatened and debased my existence.

Robert Provenza, a firm supporter of Francesco, wrote: "I believe you were playing mean ------ it 's not nice to fuck with Bobby ! ( or mother nature )." (Huh? I don't get it-B).

Claudia Giordano Lasky, also a firm Francesco clone, wrote: pot/kettle, etc. (meaning I am the same as Francesco?)

Another Francesco follower - whom I have never met, Christina Vickers: "you are, in fact, an evil f..king c.nt. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with that statement"

and Lucio Celli told the EEOC to put me, his former attorney Steve Morelli, and PERB ALJ Blassman as Defendants in his EEOC Complaint:
Lucio email May 10 2016

This is UFT Solidarity.

Betsy Combier

From Parentadvocates.org:
This post is my opinion, and mine alone. If any reader agrees with me, all the better. But do not attack me for writing about the facts that have threatened me and my work for the past 7 months, all because of a bully by the name of Francesco Portelos. In my opinion, his actions are harassing and defamatory.

To Francesco Portelos:
Since September 20, 2015, you have sent out an internet video which called me a homophobe, and you have allowed your supporters to call me a thief, liar, evil fucking cunt, old vicious woman, and more. You have denied me any due process and have encouraged Lucio Celli, to send more than 30 emails to 100+ people stating my alleged "misconduct."
Please stop telling people that I stole money from teachers. I work 24/7 to help anyone who needs to resolve problems such as false charges, arbitration, medical emergencies.  These are my sole focus, so I need you to prove your claims, whether they be yours alone or your gang's. And please stop your ridiculous claims that Randi hired me to work with her to destroy you, and all ATRs through her and Mike Mulgrew. Truly outrageous. Randi hired me in 2007. I work for myself now, and I am backed up with super lawyers who have seen all your posts.

I request that you apologize for members of your group - you are their leader, after all - and stop lying about my so-called stealing, taping everyone, abusing teachers, and being an evil fucking cunt and a vicious evil old woman, in writing, and please send your apology to me no later than June 10, 2016, or I will seek appropriate legal remedies.

I believe that all persons targeted by bullies must expose the bullies for who they are. Bullies want to control other people, the environment, their - and everyone else's - future and thoughts. They are willing to defame, lie, harass, mentally and/or physically harm and extort in order to "convince" their target that the only way to do or to see things, is THEIR, the BULLY's way. "Or else".... you will be sorry. The definition of "blame game" is "A situation in which people attempt to blame others rather than trying to resolve a problem."

Please read my prior articles:

Francesco Portelos and NY StateTenure Law

Editorial: Is Francesco Portelos a Danger to Tenure Law? by Betsy Combier

The Francesco PortelosMob: Who Are They?

The UFT Solidarity Brand is Not What UFT Members Need

Another term used for this type of destruction is "Victim Complex".

Francesco Portelos' way is to mob people. He is the workplace bully that he pretends to fight against. Here is the definition:

Definition: "MOBBING IS...EMOTIONAL ABUSE in the workplace. "Ganging up" by co-workers, subordinates or superiors, to force someone out of the workplace through rumor, innuendo, intimidation, humiliation, discrediting, and isolation. Malicious, nonsexual, nonracial, general harassment. Other expressions for MOBBING are: Bullying, psychological terror or aggression, hostile behaviors at work, workplace trauma, incivility or emotional violence. We consider MOBBING an emotional injury that impacts a target's mental and physical health. MOBBING is a workplace safety and health issue." N. Zanolli Davenport, G. Pursell Elliott, R. Distler Schwartz

http://www.mobbing-usa.com/

This is Francesco Portelos' and UFT Solidarity's way. It's their highway: according to them, they "did nothing, everyone else is guilty of wrong-doing, and they are going to 'get' those other people for you." This is not good leadership, but an appalling way of dealing with conflict, especially in a public school setting.

The picture above shows eleven (11) people who proudly stand behind defamatory comments such as: Pauline Shakespeare (a black woman and a principal) should have their faces on bottles of syrup (as in Aunt Jemima); Pauline Shakespeare's face also should be on a bottle of poison, with the poison control telephone number next to it...etc. I printed out almost 200 pages of insults about her alone, on Francesco's libelous website DTOE and A.N.O.I. These eleven people believe that calling a woman an "evil fucking cunt" (see emails below) is ok. Read the 3020-a decision given to John Silvers, to see who he is.

Lucio Celli and Francesco Portelos' emails 1

Lucio Celli and Francesco Portelos emails 2

Lucio Celli and Francesco Portelos emails 3

UFT Solidarity supporter Orlando Cole thought this was funny.

I do not know Orlando, but does he have a wife, daughter, girlfriend, female friend who will agree with him, that it is funny to send an email to many people calling a woman he does not know an "evil fucking cunt"?

Lucio (celliglipp@gmail.com)
When confronted with his insulting emails, Lucio Celli sent this (his comments are in blue):

The point is, why would the NYC Department of Education want to hire ATRs who play this blame game?

They don't. See the transcript of a Court appearance of Francesco's Attorney, Bryan Glass, and New York City Law Department Attorney Jessica Giambrone on Dec. 15, 2014. Attorney Giambrone described the Portelos-UFT Soldarity modus operandi and told the judge that Francesco even went after a parent at IS 49.

Danielle Kushner, loyal member of Francesco's gang, sent out an email urging all uncertified teachers to be exposed so they could be removed:

Danielle Kushner

December 30, 2015 · 

Facebook Groups for iOS

 Any parents willing to help and speak out or call 311 and complain about how their are uncertified teachers teaching in NYC schools illegally!!! Teaching fellows that didn't pass tests and did not get licenses yet!!! I have a list of at least 5 schools!!! Have contacted 2 Different media outlets the post and chalkbeat with no responses!

Francesco's digital media expertise has spread the word that ATRs are insulting, harassing people who will torment any enemy until the enemy surrenders. I would not want to be an ATR right now as defined by Francesco in the emails he and his loyal supporters have sent out to all of NYC. I spoke to several people who received these emails, and they are all disgusted, and believe as I do that this is cyberstalking.

Cyberstalkers are just like physical stalkers, except they stalk through the Internet and email rather than in a face to face environment. datehookup.com

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

ATRs, or Absent Teacher Reserve teachers are in a horrible no man's land, truth be told. But Francesco Portelos is giving these educators a definition that may not be good for them in the future. ATRs, defined by Francesco, are attack dogs who will go after anyone who does not do what they want; anyone who stands in their way will be bullied,  libelled and defamed.

Jim Geist is an example.  Jim Geist was terminated and then he sent out a post to his new colleagues, Francesco's UFT Solidarity, that he lost his job because of me. I don't believe you are correct, I had no input into your 3020-a even though I was there. So, please send me proof of your claim. Here is what Jim sent my blog in 2013:

A recently terminated teacher at 3020-a called Solidarity's Lydia Howrilka several months ago, and asked Lydia to put the name of her Principal on the ANOI list. The principal told her two weeks later that she would "get" the teacher for doing that, and sure enough, 3020-a charges were filed three weeks after that last word. Principals are targeting ATRs because of their allegiance to Francesco's belligerent way of doing business. Trying to create fear never works, Mr. Portelos. For whatever it is worth, I believe that your strategy will continue to fail.

Then Francesco decided he would put me out of business, because I refuse to use the blame game/victim complex in my advocacy:

None of our clients at ADVOCATZ are/were perfect 100% of the time, but all were given charges that did not reach the standard for Just Cause for termination and we fight to keep termination out of consideration.(We have the best success rate of any legal team working on 3020-a).

UFT Solidarity Council member Lucio Celli

Francesco Portelos and his gang, UFT Solidarity, have attempted to de-stabilize public school education in New York City by defaming the character and reputation of anyone who says "No, don't do that", or, "You are wrong". Any person who believes that cyber bullies are guilty of harassment are attacked. Francesco believes that everyone BUT him are bullying teachers, ATRs, and parents. This is a symptom of the syndrome called the blame game. Harassment which is continual or which pervades the work environment is actionable.

I believe Francesco and his supporters are angry, bitter employees trying to get administrators to hit them with some kind of misconduct (or they have already done that) so that they can be the heroes who swoop in and save the day. Sometimes I think I am seeing a labor-caused Munchausen by Proxy: make up lies about principals, then go in, and take credit for any trouble the principal gets into. So what if teachers are fired, discontinued, removed along the way? Francesco's goal is to torture principals and the principals' friends, not help teachers. This is not the way to help anyone. As far as I know Francesco and UFT Solidarity have not successfully completed a single case or resolved a single issue for a teacher, parent, or any person in need. Please email me proof if this is incorrect.

Victor Jordan

I remember very clearly discussing with Solidarity "attorney" (did he ever get admitted to the Bar?) Victor Jordan ( see my blog post as well) about working together on 3020-a cases, and he told me that he wanted to learn the process so he would do the first hearing for free. I brought a teacher who was going to fire her NYSUT attorney to meet with us, and  I told her Victor would not take a fee, only whatever expenses he paid during the hearing. When we met, Victor told her he was charging $3750. I and the teacher were shocked,  she left. I spoke to Victor, and he said of course he had to charge half of what he would normally charge, and he forgot to tell me. The teacher was terminated at the 3020-a after she hired a private attorney who said he had done these hearings. After this, I did some research on Victor, and found out that he had passed the bar, but had not been admitted to the Bar and was not able to practice Law. We never worked together.

Solidarity Council Christina Vickers' Comment to me:

Why the attacks on me? Francesco has never assisted at a 3020-a. We are not in competition. I am not a UFT member, I do not work for the Department of Education (never have), and I am not running for any office in any caucus against Francesco or his mob. I am an independent paralegal/reporter. Why me?

Lydia Howrilka

You should also read the libel-line, the comments sent to his Dont Tread on Educators (DTOE) website and his A.N.O.I. list of principals. No one is safe. I find the slinging of dirt on someone appalling, unless I have seen the proof of the misconduct.  Francesco's lack of respect for anyone, his dislike of confidentiality of anyone's records, his willingness to go after someone's life and career, as well as that of a friend or family member of someone he doesn't like, is disturbing, at best, but definitely astonishingly inappropriate for a public school teacher working as a role model, supposedly, for children. Kids should not be told to respect a teacher who is, at the same time, on the internet saying women are evil f...ing c..ts and the like, violating the public trust by their own actions.

Surprisingly, Gregg Morris, an Assistant Professor at Hunter College who wants to burn something after the harassment conference on May 14, 2016, (do his administrators at Hunter know he is sending this stuff out?) worships the ground Francesco and UFT Solidarity members walk on, and does not see that Francesco is doing exactly what Mr. Morris is fighting against:

Gregg Morris	Jan 26
to me

1) New York State Senator James Sanders Jr has introduced the bill in the
Senate and it is now in both bodies of the legislature. This is really good
news about getting the bill passed this year. The Bill numbers are S6438
and A3250

Important Reminder: February 8 is significantly important lobbying session
organized by the New York State Healthy Workplace Advocates. It's focus is
teachers. Many are planning to go to Albany, joined by several activists for
change.

2) UFT Solidarity Caucus supports the NY Healthy Workplace Bill. Text of UFT
Memo follows:

"UFT Solidarity Memorandum of Support for NY Healthy Workplace Bill S6438 (James Sanders Jr.),
A3250 (Assemblymember Steve Englebright).A mission of UFT Solidarity is to defend all UFT members from workplace bullying, which is defined as “a repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one  or more  persons (the  targets)  by one  or  more perpetrators and  creates a harmful work environment.”  We  will provide  legal incentives for employers to prevent and respond to mistreatment of employees at work. UFT Solidarity supports the New York State Healthy Workplace Bill.The Healthy Workplace Bill would amend the New York State Labor Law because the “State is dependent upon healthy and productive employees.” See, S6438/A3250. The bill recognizes that abusive behavior in the workplace is a problem for employees and employers alike. 

While employees enduring  bullying  may  suffer from  a  host of  physical  and  emotional  ailments, employers are burdened by reduced productivity  and  morale, increased absenteeism, and  high turnover  rates.
Thus, the aim of the bill is to protect both parties.UFT Solidarity  opposes all  forms of  discrimination, the  law  has protected categories  of people whohave  been  mistreated on the  basis of their status in a protected group—whether it be  their  race,national  origin,  religion,  age,  disability, gender, or on  the  basis  of  sexual preference. However,despite all of that  legislation to protect minorities, the  law in the  United States — and  in New  York State — still  fails  to  protect  workers from  being  mistreated  in the workplace where  the mistreatment is not based on a protected status.   UFT Solidarity urges our New York State elected officials to support,bring to a vote, and pass the Healthy Workplace Bill S6438/A3250 in the current legislative session.In Solidarity, UFT Solidarity“ Building a stronger union.”

Best,
Gregg Morris
Hunter College/CUNY

For 13 years I have written about,investigated and assisted employees of the New York City Department of Education as they fight for due process rights. I fight for right and rights as an investigative reporter, paralegal and advocate. I worked for the UFT from 2007 to 2010 as a special representative, and my duties included visiting all the NYC rubber rooms, and assisting members. I have met  wonderful, caring, professional teachers, Guidance Counselors, principals, and staff of the NYC DOE - current as well as retired and former employees - who are now, I am proud to say, my friends.  We believe that Portelos and his UFT Solidarity broadcast negative, destructive propaganda, and we want nothing to do with him or anyone who associates with him. I include in this conclusion the support of all the  attorneys I work with. 

I am not, and never have been an employee of the NY City Department of Education, nor am I a lawyer. I am President of a company called ADVOCATZ which assists people in having a voice in what I call the "rubber room" process.  (Facebook page.) My advocacy business is my sole source of income; I do not work for any other organization or private corporation. I also have a 501(C) 3 not-for-profit foundation, The E-Accountability Foundation, which accepts donations and gives grants to people who need to fund their journey through the court system or proceedings, arbitration, or whatever. We have a Facebook page. Neither my consulting business nor my Foundation will work with or support people who bribe, extort, harass, defame, slander or libel anyone. Therefore we will not assist anyone associated with Francesco Portelos or his mob groups or websites such as DTOE and A.N.O.I..(See the Pauline Shakespeare posts, for example).

CSA General Counsel David Grandwetter: where are you?

David Grandwetter

We really need you to step in and mark the line between a first amendment right and defamation, as to the anonymous emails sent to A.N.O.I about your members.

 My friend Laurie, an ATR, asked Francesco whether he got permission to send out a letter to a principal citing this principal's abuse of the teacher, before he sent it. What did Francesco Portelos do? He immediately sent to everyone on the facebook page a post about Laurie's confidential medical information as well as her current ATR status. He thought he taught her a lesson. She took Francesco off of the closed facebook page, and Francesco was so angry, he started his own facebook page which he closed to anyone who was friendly with Laurie.

Lucio Celli: a close member of Francesco's inner circle.
UFT Solidarity Council


Francesco's sidekick Lucio Celli attacked me after Laurie complained about Francesco. Lucio was blocked by the admins of Laurie's ATR facebook page, and then Lucio sent out emails to all of NYC blaming me, a "liar", "thief", "evil f...ing c...t" for doing this. As if.

And then there is the case of Osman Couey, arrested and charged with alleged corporal punishment of a student in his 2nd grade class. When I read about this in the Daily News, I immediately called Osman, and we met for several hours. He is not guilty of the charges brought against him, and will prove it. Did anyone from UFT Solidarity call Osman? No.

Next is Francesco's website suggestion to send him your child's IEP. That's outrageous, especially with his record of not keeping anything confidential. I am a parent advocate and do Impartial Hearings, and my oldest daughter had an IEP. I keep each case I do, confidential. Francesco's approach would worry me.

Lucio Celli

Lucio Celli is currently in Federal Court -see his First Complaint, then his Amended Complaint.
He asked me to assist him by reviewing his writing in his PERB complaint and emails to the principal of his school. I edited the papers and met him countless times for as long as he wanted, throughout 2015. Suddenly, immediately following the video incident with Francesco, when I was called a "homophobe" and I asked Francesco to take it down and he said "No", Lucio sent me a check for $1000 to thank me for my help. I never asked for this money, never created or sent an invoice. never. I gratefully thanked him for the gift. At the same time, teacher Jonathan Hinesley was given 3020-a charges, and we met to discuss. I gave my opinion and experience in the process of the 3020-a hearings, for free. Jonathan settled his case at 3020-a but sent me a check for $500 for my time. I thanked him for his gift. He told me he did not want the money back when I offered.

Jonathan Hinesley

However, suddenly both Jonathan Hinesley and Lucio Celli called me a thief for taking their money, and Francesco sent out a series of emails announcing to all of the teacher listservs and websites that I abused teachers and stole their money. Then Francesco created a poster with my face at the top, and sent it out to all teachers in NYC and the world, telling everyone to demand their money back because I was a criminal, practicing law without a license. I have never, ever represented anyone in court or stated to anyone at any time that I am an Attorney. I am NOT an Attorney. If I billed anyone for the hours I spent on their case, no one could afford me. I barely cover my expenses.

Francesco, Lucio, Jonathan and Lydia Howrilka were delighted to learn that I was working with Steve Morelli  on a Federal case and a 3020-a, because when the media did the story that Steve was arrested for taking his client's money, therefore I stole money too, Francesco told his followers. Steve Morelli never told me anything about his other cases, and I never knew that he was being investigated for anything. Nonetheless, Steve's arrest meant I was "guilty" and should also be arrested, according to Francesco.

So, again, why did Francesco, starting in September, vow, on the internet, to end my business and my existence as I know it?

Why did he accuse me of joining up with Randi Weingarten to hurt him and UFT Solidarity, accusing me of setting up the ATRs, and secretly being paid by her to do this, then refuse to believe Randi when she told him that I did a good job for the UFT and was never fired (like Jim Callahan was)? Why did he threaten Randi with "secret recordings" if she did not order me to take down the article about how him? Why did Francesco call me an evil f...ing c..t? 

Why did Francesco send out a poster with my face on it, accusing me of criminal misconduct for assisting teachers with their cases, urging all my clients to demand their money back - and then calling me a thief?

I believe Francesco and his gang have so viciously attacked me because when Francesco Portelos edited the video with the speech  by Jim Callahan on September 20, 2015, and sent it out across the internet, he , Lydia Howrilka and Jonathan Hinesley thought that I would not find out that they created the video so that Jim called me a "homophobe". They thought they would get away with this. But I found out, and I wanted to discuss with Francesco about his taking it off the internet after he told me everyone "knew" it was not true - but Francesco refused.

In my opinion - in fact all of this post is my opinion - Francesco Portelos is an angry, bitter megalomaniac who felt wronged by the New York City Department of Education after he brought attention to the misappropriation of funds at his school IS 49R in District 31 (Staten Island) by the principal, Linda Hill and instead of being rewarded, he was charged with 3020-a misconduct charges. 38 of them. See the decision ofArbitrator Felice Busto, May 2014.

Of course it is natural to feel angry when you are accused of something and put into a hearing where you are criminalized for your alleged "misconduct". It's embarrassing. Francesco cooked up his strategy to pay the DOE back when he was given a $10,000 fine but not terminated for his sustained charges.

 I believe he is a bad influence on schools, kids, parents, teachers, staff, and the NYC DOE. Francesco's charges and Arbitrator Felice Busto's decision finding him guilty of many of them give a very clear and frightening picture of a man who has the mind of a two-year-old denied a swing in the playground. He will "get you" for whatever he feels you did to him, and he will make you say you are "sorry" or he will make you "sorry" by terrorizing you or your nearest family member or friend. Take a look at Specification #36 below. Francesco was charged with harassing the  chapter leader of  IS49, Richard Candia, and his girlfriend, after Candia would not help him get rid of Principal Hill. 

I have seen this anger many times,  but what I have never seen is the poison that he spreads, in particular the lies which he knows are lies, to bully someone to do something for him "or else" be punished for tainting his hallowed earth. Let's look at the sustained 3020-a charges for a minute:

SPECIFICATION 6:

During the 2011-2012 school year, Respondent disclosed confidential Department information, including, but not limited to, witness statements, on a non-Department website, including, but not limited to, protectportelos.org.

SPECIFICATION 8:

During the 2011-2012 school year, Respondent inappropriately accessed and/or retrieved Department information, including, but not limited to, a Department email account and/or email messages of another Department employee.

SPECIFICATION 9:

During the 2011-2012 school year, Respondent inappropriately accessed a Department email account and/or email messages of another Department employee.


SPECIFICATION 25:

On or about January 28, 2012, Respondent, without consulting, notifying, and/or seeking authorization from Principal Hill or the I.S 49 administration, accessed the school website, www.Dreyfus49.com, as a site administrator and manipulated the settings to revoke the administrative rights and/or privileges of all individuals previously granted such administrative access.

SPECIFICATION 28:

On or about February 2012, Respondent refused to transfer control and/or ownership of the school website, www.Dreyfus49.com, to Principal Hill, I.S. 49, and/or the Department after agreeing to do so at a meeting with Principal Hill and Superintendent Erminia Claudio.

SPECIFICATION 29:

On or about November 2012, Respondent, without consulting, notifying, and/or seeking approval from Principal Hill or the I.S 49 administration, altered the website www.welearnandqrowtoqether.com, which Respondent had created for the school with Principal Hill's approval, to automatically transfer visitors to his alternative website, https://sites.qooqle.com/site/occupywarrenstreet/, which contained derogatory information about I.S. 49, Principal Hill, and/or the Department.

SPECIFICATION 31:

During the 2012-2013 school year, Respondent, without consulting, notifying, and/or seeking approval from Principal Hill and/or the Department, altered the school website, www.Dreyfus49.com, to automatically redirect visitors to his website, protectportelos.org, which chronicled his issues with various groups including Principal Hill, I.S. 49, and the Department.

SPECIFICATION 33:

During the 2011-2012 school year, Respondent recorded a video in a school facility, namely, I.S. 49, of a student during school hours, without permission or authority.

SPECIFICATION 34:

On or about December 12, 2012, Respondent notified I.S. 49 Superintendent Erminia Claudio that he showed the video referenced in Specification 33 to parents, without permission or authority.

SPECIFICATION 36:

On or about and in the month of September 2012, Respondent:

A. Sent an email message to a parent without permission or authority stating, in sum and substance, that the teacher who sent their son to summer school was not certified to teach and that this message identified the teacher and indicated that her teaching certification had expired.

B. Failed to notify and/or confirm with I.S. 49 administration that the teacher referenced above lacked certification prior to contacting the parent.

SPECIFICATION 38:

By committing one, some, or all of the actions described in the above Specifications, Respondent's actions:

A. Had a disruptive and/or negative impact on students, staff, and/or administration at I.S. 49 and the Department.

B. Caused negative publicity, ridicule, and notoriety to I.S. 49 and the Department."

All these charges Francesco was found guilty of, and he paid a penalty of $10,000.

On August 25 2015 Francesco had lunch with former UFT President Randi Weingarten, now President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). He told everyone that he was going to get a job at the UFT (like I did). But he did not get a job at the UFT. Randi told me that she would not offer him a job, it doesn't work that way.

On September 20, 2015 Francesco held a meeting for 50 teachers to let them know that UFT Solidarity would defend their rights. The speaker of the evening was my former colleague at the UFT, NY Teacher Jim Callaghan. Ironically, Jim made my life torture at the UFT, because he could not stand the rubber room teachers, all of whom, he believed, were guilty of what they were being charged with, and he wanted no part of it. He would not go to the rubber rooms. However, Mike Mulgrew divided up the rooms after I had been visiting all of the rooms for two years, and gave Jim two rooms to visit, at least once in a while. Jim tried to stop me from visiting the rooms, then asked for meetings with Ellie Engler and Leroy Barr to force me to stop. He failed, much to his dismay. I visited the rubber rooms every day, and ignored him.

I was supposed to be at this meeting in Queens on September 20,but never made it. Several days later Lucio called me to tell me that a video had been sent out where I was called a "homophobe", and he told me that he had sent it to me. I was shocked, and called Francesco to take out the parts about me, because I am no longer working for the UFT and am President of an independent company. Francesco refused. The onslaught began. I was now, without knowing it, The Enemy. 

After seven (7) months of lying about me, saying I was a thief because I took money from him for doing nothing to help him, sending more than 25 emails to 100+ people throughout New York City saying I taped 3020-a hearings (NEVER) and stole money just like Steve Morelli (NEVER) and abused teachers (lies, see my comment on Jim Geist, above), Lucio demanded an Invoice for the work I did for him so he could get the IRS to go after me:

On Wed, Apr 20, 2016 at 4:54 PM, gilpp celli <celliglipp@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Ms. Combier:

I informed you months ago that I need a receipt. Please send me a letter that I paid you to be my paralegal:

2743 Seymour Avenue
Bronx, New York 10469

If I do not receive a receipt from you, I will inform the IRS of your refusal.

I prefer that you do not answer this e-mail and just send a letter with an invoice. If you do not, I will provide the IRS the e-mails and recordings to proof that I paid you and the type of work you did for me. Then, this would become the IRS' problem.


Thanks,
Lucio

On Apr 20, 2016, at 7:36 PM, Betsy Combier <betsy.combier@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Lucio,

Huh? you make no sense. I never charged you, you never hired me and I am not an attorney. You asked me to edit some papers, which I did for free, and you gifted me. I reported your gift to the IRS when I did my taxes and thanked you. Then you told me and 100+ people how you are going to destroy the DOE and hurt everyone, including me,  calling me an evil fucking cunt to extort money from me? 

No good deed goes unpunished, I guess.

Betsy

On Apr 20, 2016, at 9:19 PM, gilpp celli <celliglipp@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Ms. Combier:

There is a cancelled check that I paid you and for what reason, but thank you for this email.

I hope this person also told you that I sent out a recording of you, as well. I never said that I would destroy the doe, which is a pure lie by whomever told you that information. More importantly, I never said that I would destroy you. I wrote "God bless Betsy Combier and her ego because she LOVES to speak." To my knowledge, I did not bad mouth you on my NYC DOE email. 

Unlike you, I am not a liar and I have recordings to prove what you said to me and that you are a liar! 

I have you recorded and you threatened my lawsuit in writing and in a recordings. 

I appreciate the information that you. It is my current understanding that you lied on your Federal income tax return--- you forgot an email you sent me and what you said over the phone.

Again, I do not need for you to respond to this e-mail because I do not want anything to do with you. I wish you the best at your evil deeds to harm your clients! 

Thanks,

Lucio Celli 

I'm done with this post. But I'm whole, and standing on my principles of advocacy, decency, fighting the good fight the right way, as a professional. I request that the NYC Department of Education look into the people on this blog post and remove them from public service. 

Please give my tax money to make New York a safe place for kids far from teachers described in this post and any of their supporters.

Betsy Combier

betsy.combier@gmail.com
Editor, NYC Rubber Room Reporter
Editor, Parentadvocates.org
Editor, New York Court Corruption
Editor, National Public Voice

Editor, The NYC Public Voice

COMMENTS

Robert Provenza

1:35am May 10

Hi Betsy , , who says Portelos failed ? The election has just started ( by the way ----saw that Callahan video four times with Grace ---the word homophobe was never even said . I believe you were playing mean ------ it 's not nice to fuck with Bobby ! ( or mother nature ).

my answer: the video with the "homophobe" statement was finally changed, but you can hear the original on my blog. Bob, you are quite a follower, agreeing to blame and attack me for writing about Francesco's insults

Claudia Giordano Lasky 1:40am May 10 Pot/kettle etc. please. my answer: Claudia, I would expect nothing else from you but to blindly agree with Francesco. Sad.

Deborah Marriott Leaves New York State Education Department and Her Position as Director of Teacher Tenure Unit

From: Deborah Marriott <Deborah.Marriott@nysed.gov>

Date: Tue, May 3, 2016, 10:07
Subject: Farewell - Leaving SED
To: Deborah Marriott <Deborah.Marriott@nysed.gov>
Cc: Daniel Harder <Daniel.Harder@nysed.gov>, OSPRA <OSPRA@nysed.gov>, TENURE <TENURE@nysed.gov>

Dear Attorneys, Hearing Officers and Court Reporters:

I wanted to let you know that I am leaving SED to become the Director of Human Resources for a local school district.  My last day here will be May 11.  Bart Zabin has retired.  Your tenure questions and issues should be sent to TENURE@nysed.gov or by calling (518) 474-3021.  Other Part 83 and fingerprinting issues should be sent to OSPRA@nysed.gov or by calling (518) 473-2998.  From there, your questions will be routed to the correct person.  Daniel Harder who is copied on this email will be the Acting Director of OSPRA until a new Director is appointed.  As many of you know, Daniel Harder is an experienced litigator who has been with OSPRA for over 12 years and is well versed with the issues affecting the various program areas.

I have enjoyed my many years of working with all of you and expect that you will be in good hands after I leave.  If you would like my contact information for future communications, please send me a private message.

Deborah Glasbrener Marriott, Esq.

Director, NYS Education Department

Office of School Personnel Review and Accountability (OSPRA)

Fingerprinting, Teacher Tenure Hearing, and Legal and Investigative Units

89 Washington Avenue

Albany, New York 12234

Direct Phone: (518) 408-1521

Office Phone: (518) 473-2998 (Monday thru Friday 9AM to 12PM, and 1PM-4PM)

Tenure Phone:  (518) 474-3021

Office Fax: (518) 402-5940

Email:  Deborah.Marriott@nysed.gov

Education Law §3020-a Update, TEACH and Related Teacher Discipline Issues Deborah Glasbrener Marriott MASLA High Peaks Resort Lake Placid July 22, 2014.