NYSUT, NYSSBA statements on Interim State Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe

New York State United Teachers President Andy Pallotta released the following statement regarding the resignation of Interim State Education Commissioner Shannon Tahoe:

“In an incredibly difficult time, Interim Commissioner Tahoe has been willing to work with us to ensure our students and school staff have the highest-quality education system possible. We wish her well in her next endeavor. Looking ahead, Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa has been and continues to be a tireless, steady leader who puts our students first. We will continue working with her to ensure our public schools are not just meeting the needs of students, but that schools also are safe and healthy as we continue to weather the impacts of this pandemic.”

New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

NYSSBA Executive Director Robert Schneider said, "NYSSBA has had a close working relationship with Interim Commissioner Tahoe that included texts and phone calls at all hours of the day and night. She has shown excellent leadership in a time when public schools have been coping with a pandemic in addition to the many ongoing challenges of public education. She will be missed."

NYSSBA Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Jay Worona said, "Shannon has been an incredible partner throughout this pandemic. In addition to having a great skill set and work ethic, she is an exceptionally kind and collaborative person. I can think of no one who could have navigated the intricacies of our present situation better."

The New York State School Boards Association represents more than 670 school boards and more than 5,200 school board members in New York. NYSSBA provides advocacy, training and information to school boards in support of their mission to govern the state's public schools.