Three Village Union Leader Among Some Who Don't Teach in their Districts

Three Village teachers' union president Claudia Reinhart is one of two leaders from Long Island's 122 unionized school districts who collect a full-time salary and benefits without having to teach any classes, according to a Newsday report published Sunday.

Newsday says Reinhart is one of eight districts on Long Island which grant their union presidents full release time – meaning the time they are allowed to spend outside of the classroom and associated duties like cafeteria duty while working on union business.

Some union leaders maintain this practice is cost-neutral because savings are often yielded elsewhere. Carl Korn, spokesman for the New York State United Teachers, told Newsday: "Instead of having a formal grievance or formal arbitration procedure that requires the hiring of attorneys, we have superintendents and union presidents troubleshooting," which saves taxpayers money in that not every labor dispute would require formal action, he said.

According to Newsday, Reinhart earns a salary of $127,828 plus benefits, for which the Three Village Central School District is reimbursed fully by the teachers union.

Click here to read the full report from Newsday (subscription required).