Updated 01/09/2012 10:41 PM
Cuomo Steers Clear Of Bloomberg, UFT Fight
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Governor Andrew Cuomo says he won't get involved in a dispute between Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city's teachers union over evaluations.
Some, including the president of the city's teachers' union, suggest Cuomo wade in to help broker a deal that would pave the way for the city to get nearly $60 million in federal funds.
The absence of such a working evaluation system has so far led to state officials blocking the funds.
Speaking on WGDJ-AM Monday, Cuomo said it's not his place to arbitrate between the city and the powerful union, the United Federation of Teachers.
"I'm not going to get between Mayor Bloomberg and the UFT. There are roughly 700 school districts in this state. The answer isn't the governor should intervene between the local official or the school board, and the unions," Cuomo said.
The governor instead is calling for a new statewide teacher evaluation panel.